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 Sydney (C), accounting for 58% (122,723 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 15,436 people and 6.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Sydney (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises proficiency in english for Sydney (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Chart view
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sydney (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Total Speaks English Only
2021 count
122,723
% of total
58.0%
Change from 2016
+6.5pp
122,723
58.0%
+6.5pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
2021 count
63,419
% of total
30.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
63,419
30.0%
0.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
2021 count
10,835
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
10,835
5.1%
-1.1pp
Total Not Stated
2021 count
14,659
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
14,659
6.9%
-5.4pp
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
+15,436
+6.5pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+1,002
0.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
-2,099
-1.1pp
Total Not Stated
-11,075
-5.4pp
Data table
Proficiency in English for Sydney (C). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 122,723 | 58.0% | 57.3% | 107,287 | 51.5% | 58.4% | +15,436 | +6.5pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 63,419 | 30.0% | 31.3% | 62,417 | 30.0% | 29.3% | +1,002 | 0.0pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 10,835 | 5.1% | 6.4% | 12,934 | 6.2% | 6.5% | -2,099 | -1.1pp |
| Total Not Stated | 14,659 | 6.9% | 5.0% | 25,734 | 12.3% | 5.8% | -11,075 | -5.4pp |
| Total | 211,632 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 208,374 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,258 | 0.0pp |