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 Lynton, accounting for 91.4% (203 people). This share was higher than Mitcham (C) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 31 people and 11.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Lynton - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Lynton, with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).

Lynton
Mitcham (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

203

% of total

91.4%

Change from 2016

+11.8pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

8

% of total

3.6%

Change from 2016

-10.3pp

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

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

-1.4pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

4

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

-5.6pp

Data table

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

Proficiency in English for Lynton. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
Proficiency in English for Lynton. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mitcham (C)%Count%Mitcham (C)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only20391.4%82.5%17279.6%81.6%+31+11.8pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well83.6%13.8%3013.9%13.0%-22-10.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All00.0%1.5%31.4%1.8%-3-1.4pp
Total Not Stated41.8%2.3%167.4%3.6%-12-5.6pp
Total222100.0%100.0%216100.0%100.0%+60.0pp