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 Queens Park (NSW), accounting for 80.5% (2,530 people). This share was higher than Waverley (A) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 172 people and 3.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Queens Park (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Queens Park (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Waverley (A) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Queens Park (NSW), with comparison markers for Waverley (A).

Queens Park (NSW)
Waverley (A)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

2,530

% of total

80.5%

Change from 2016

+3.6pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

472

% of total

15.0%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

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

2021 count

54

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

93

% of total

3.0%

Change from 2016

-4.4pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Queens Park (NSW). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waverley (A).

Proficiency in English for Queens Park (NSW). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waverley (A).
Proficiency in English for Queens Park (NSW). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waverley (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Waverley (A)%Count%Waverley (A)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only2,53080.5%73.1%2,35876.9%68.7%+172+3.6pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well47215.0%19.6%42513.9%19.3%+47+1.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All541.7%1.6%521.7%1.9%+20.0pp
Total Not Stated933.0%5.7%2277.4%10.2%-134-4.4pp
Total3,143100.0%100.0%3,066100.0%100.0%+770.0pp