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 Bouvard, accounting for 91.8% (835 people). This share was higher than Mandurah (C) (87.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 86 people and 1.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Bouvard - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Bouvard in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mandurah (C) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Bouvard, with comparison markers for Mandurah (C).

Bouvard
Mandurah (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

835

% of total

91.8%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

40

% of total

4.4%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

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

2021 count

3

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

36

% of total

4.0%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Bouvard. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mandurah (C).

Proficiency in English for Bouvard. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mandurah (C).
Proficiency in English for Bouvard. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mandurah (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mandurah (C)%Count%Mandurah (C)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only83591.8%87.2%74990.7%86.8%+86+1.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well404.4%6.6%283.4%6.4%+12+1.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All30.3%0.6%00.0%0.6%+3+0.3pp
Total Not Stated364.0%5.6%445.3%6.2%-8-1.3pp
Total910100.0%100.0%826100.0%100.0%+840.0pp