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 Hadfield, accounting for 51.6% (3,233 people). This share was lower than Moreland (C) (61%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 1,418 people and 17.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Hadfield - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Hadfield, with comparison markers for Moreland (C).

Hadfield
Moreland (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

3,233

% of total

51.6%

Change from 2016

-20.4pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

2,285

% of total

36.4%

Change from 2016

+17.9pp

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

2021 count

376

% of total

6.0%

Change from 2016

+2.3pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

378

% of total

6.0%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

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

Proficiency in English for Hadfield. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moreland (C).
Proficiency in English for Hadfield. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moreland (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Moreland (C)%Count%Moreland (C)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only3,23351.6%61.0%3,37772.0%56.0%-144-20.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well2,28536.4%29.6%86718.5%31.7%+1,418+17.9pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All3766.0%5.1%1743.7%6.4%+202+2.3pp
Total Not Stated3786.0%4.3%2735.8%6.0%+105+0.2pp
Total6,269100.0%100.0%4,689100.0%100.0%+1,5800.0pp