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 West Melbourne, accounting for 47.7% (3,826 people). This share was higher than Melbourne (C) (46.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 1,373 people and 6.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
West Melbourne - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises proficiency in english for West Melbourne in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Melbourne, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
Total Speaks English Only
2021 count
3,826
% of total
47.7%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
3,826
47.7%
+2.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
2021 count
3,203
% of total
39.9%
Change from 2016
+6.7pp
3,203
39.9%
+6.7pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
2021 count
411
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
411
5.1%
-0.7pp
Total Not Stated
2021 count
579
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-8.4pp
579
7.2%
-8.4pp
Chart view
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
+1,329
+2.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+1,373
+6.7pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
+90
-0.7pp
Total Not Stated
-283
-8.4pp
Data table
Proficiency in English for West Melbourne. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 3,826 | 47.7% | 46.4% | 2,497 | 45.3% | 40.5% | +1,329 | +2.4pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 3,203 | 39.9% | 41.0% | 1,830 | 33.2% | 41.2% | +1,373 | +6.7pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 411 | 5.1% | 5.2% | 321 | 5.8% | 6.9% | +90 | -0.7pp |
| Total Not Stated | 579 | 7.2% | 7.5% | 862 | 15.6% | 11.5% | -283 | -8.4pp |
| Total | 8,025 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,515 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,510 | 0.0pp |