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 Nowergup, accounting for 81.5% (154 people). This share was higher than Wanneroo (C) (74.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English not well or not at all, which increased by 3 people and 1.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Nowergup - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Nowergup, with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).

Nowergup
Wanneroo (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

154

% of total

81.5%

Change from 2016

+1.5pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

14

% of total

7.4%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

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

2021 count

3

% of total

1.6%

Change from 2016

+1.6pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

12

% of total

6.3%

Change from 2016

-1.9pp

Data table

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

Proficiency in English for Nowergup. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wanneroo (C).
Proficiency in English for Nowergup. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wanneroo (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Wanneroo (C)%Count%Wanneroo (C)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only15481.5%74.7%15680.0%74.0%-2+1.5pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well147.4%18.1%157.7%17.1%-1-0.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All31.6%3.1%00.0%3.3%+3+1.6pp
Total Not Stated126.3%4.1%168.2%5.6%-4-1.9pp
Total189100.0%100.0%195100.0%100.0%-60.0pp