Cultural diversity

Proficiency in English

About this topic

Proficiency in English records how well people say they speak English, with the question mainly relevant for people who use a language other than English at home. It is a self-assessed measure of spoken English rather than a formal test.

This topic helps identify where interpreting, translated information, and targeted service communication may be needed. It is most informative when read alongside language used at home, birthplace, and year of arrival.

Interpretation notes

  • ABS treats this as a self-assessed indicator of spoken English, not a formal test, so results should be interpreted with care.
  • The detailed English-proficiency categories mainly relate to people who use another language at home; people who speak English only are included as a separate category.

Key insight

In 2021, English only was the most common English-proficiency response among residents in Hunters Hill (A), accounting for 74.1% (10,052 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 480 people and 1.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Hunters Hill (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Hunters Hill (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Hunters Hill (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.

Hunters Hill (A)
Greater Sydney

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

10,052

% of total

74.1%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

2,334

% of total

17.2%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All

2021 count

362

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

818

% of total

6.0%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Hunters Hill (A). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.

Proficiency in English for Hunters Hill (A). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
Proficiency in English for Hunters Hill (A). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Sydney%Count%Greater Sydney%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only10,05274.1%57.3%10,53275.2%58.4%-480-1.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well2,33417.2%31.3%2,32016.6%29.3%+14+0.6pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All3622.7%6.4%4633.3%6.5%-101-0.6pp
Total Not Stated8186.0%5.0%6834.9%5.8%+135+1.1pp
Total13,559100.0%100.0%13,999100.0%100.0%-4400.0pp