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 Wellington (S), accounting for 87.2% (39,808 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 2,454 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Wellington (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises proficiency in english for Wellington (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wellington (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
Total Speaks English Only
2021 count
39,808
% of total
87.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
39,808
87.2%
+0.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
2021 count
1,674
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,674
3.7%
+0.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
2021 count
213
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
213
0.5%
0.0pp
Total Not Stated
2021 count
3,946
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
3,946
8.6%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
+2,454
+0.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+206
+0.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
-13
0.0pp
Total Not Stated
+10
-0.6pp
Data table
Proficiency in English for Wellington (S). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 39,808 | 87.2% | 86.4% | 37,354 | 86.9% | 86.6% | +2,454 | +0.3pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 1,674 | 3.7% | 6.2% | 1,468 | 3.4% | 5.2% | +206 | +0.3pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 213 | 0.5% | 1.1% | 226 | 0.5% | 1.0% | -13 | 0.0pp |
| Total Not Stated | 3,946 | 8.6% | 6.3% | 3,936 | 9.2% | 7.2% | +10 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 45,639 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 42,983 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,656 | 0.0pp |