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 Strathmore (Vic.), accounting for 76.1% (6,835 people). This share was higher than Moonee Valley (C) (67.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 407 people and 3.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Strathmore (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Strathmore (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moonee Valley (C) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Strathmore (Vic.), with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).

Strathmore (Vic.)
Moonee Valley (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

6,835

% of total

76.1%

Change from 2016

-1.6pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

1,790

% of total

19.9%

Change from 2016

+3.5pp

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

2021 count

160

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

198

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

-2.0pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Strathmore (Vic.). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moonee Valley (C).

Proficiency in English for Strathmore (Vic.). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moonee Valley (C).
Proficiency in English for Strathmore (Vic.). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moonee Valley (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Moonee Valley (C)%Count%Moonee Valley (C)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only6,83576.1%67.9%6,54377.7%64.5%+292-1.6pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well1,79019.9%24.4%1,38316.4%25.0%+407+3.5pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All1601.8%4.0%1441.7%4.7%+16+0.1pp
Total Not Stated1982.2%3.7%3514.2%5.8%-153-2.0pp
Total8,980100.0%100.0%8,419100.0%100.0%+5610.0pp