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, another language and English well or very well was the most common English-proficiency response among residents in Thomastown, accounting for 50.7% (10,266 people). This share was higher than Whittlesea (C) (38.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 10,266 people and 50.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Thomastown - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises proficiency in english for Thomastown in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Thomastown, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
Total Speaks English Only
2021 count
5,968
% of total
29.5%
Change from 2016
-64.9pp
5,968
29.5%
-64.9pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
2021 count
10,266
% of total
50.7%
Change from 2016
+50.7pp
10,266
50.7%
+50.7pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
2021 count
3,104
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
+15.3pp
3,104
15.3%
+15.3pp
Total Not Stated
2021 count
897
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
897
4.4%
-1.2pp
Chart view
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
+5,917
-64.9pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+10,266
+50.7pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
+3,104
+15.3pp
Total Not Stated
+894
-1.2pp
Data table
Proficiency in English for Thomastown. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whittlesea (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Whittlesea (C)% | Count | % | Whittlesea (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 5,968 | 29.5% | 50.2% | 51 | 94.4% | 51.1% | +5,917 | -64.9pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 10,266 | 50.7% | 38.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 36.4% | +10,266 | +50.7pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 3,104 | 15.3% | 6.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.5% | +3,104 | +15.3pp |
| Total Not Stated | 897 | 4.4% | 4.4% | 3 | 5.6% | 5.0% | +894 | -1.2pp |
| Total | 20,234 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 54 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +20,180 | 0.0pp |