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 Yan Yean, accounting for 83.7% (206 people). This share was higher than Whittlesea (C) (50.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 12 people and 2.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Yan Yean - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Yan Yean, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).

Yan Yean
Whittlesea (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

206

% of total

83.7%

Change from 2016

-2.8pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

12

% of total

4.9%

Change from 2016

-3.8pp

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

2021 count

6

% of total

2.4%

Change from 2016

+1.2pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

24

% of total

9.8%

Change from 2016

+8.2pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Yan Yean. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whittlesea (C).

Proficiency in English for Yan Yean. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whittlesea (C).
Proficiency in English for Yan Yean. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whittlesea (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Whittlesea (C)%Count%Whittlesea (C)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only20683.7%50.2%21886.5%51.1%-12-2.8pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well124.9%38.6%228.7%36.4%-10-3.8pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All62.4%6.8%31.2%7.5%+3+1.2pp
Total Not Stated249.8%4.4%41.6%5.0%+20+8.2pp
Total246100.0%100.0%252100.0%100.0%-60.0pp