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 Wonga Park (part), accounting for 91.9% (3,532 people). This share was higher than Manningham (C) (50.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 55 people and 1.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Wonga Park (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Wonga Park (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Manningham (C) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Wonga Park (part), with comparison markers for Manningham (C).

Wonga Park (part)
Manningham (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

3,532

% of total

91.9%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

209

% of total

5.4%

Change from 2016

+1.3pp

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

2021 count

24

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

77

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

-1.7pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Wonga Park (part). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).

Proficiency in English for Wonga Park (part). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).
Proficiency in English for Wonga Park (part). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Manningham (C)%Count%Manningham (C)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only3,53291.9%50.7%3,49192.0%53.6%+41-0.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well2095.4%38.5%1544.1%34.9%+55+1.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All240.6%7.8%190.5%7.6%+5+0.1pp
Total Not Stated772.0%3.0%1403.7%4.0%-63-1.7pp
Total3,843100.0%100.0%3,796100.0%100.0%+470.0pp