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 Chatswood, accounting for 48.8% (12,464 people). This share was higher than Willoughby (C) (34.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 12,464 people and 48.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Chatswood - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises proficiency in english for Chatswood in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Willoughby (C) and change since 2016.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Chatswood, with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
Total Speaks English Only
2021 count
8,898
% of total
34.8%
Change from 2016
-47.6pp
8,898
34.8%
-47.6pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
2021 count
12,464
% of total
48.8%
Change from 2016
+48.8pp
12,464
48.8%
+48.8pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
2021 count
3,161
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
+12.4pp
3,161
12.4%
+12.4pp
Total Not Stated
2021 count
1,026
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-7.0pp
1,026
4.0%
-7.0pp
Chart view
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
+8,823
-47.6pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+12,464
+48.8pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
+3,161
+12.4pp
Total Not Stated
+1,016
-7.0pp
Data table
Proficiency in English for Chatswood. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Willoughby (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 8,898 | 34.8% | 55.5% | 75 | 82.4% | 55.0% | +8,823 | -47.6pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 12,464 | 48.8% | 34.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 32.5% | +12,464 | +48.8pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 3,161 | 12.4% | 6.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.6% | +3,161 | +12.4pp |
| Total Not Stated | 1,026 | 4.0% | 3.3% | 10 | 11.0% | 4.9% | +1,016 | -7.0pp |
| Total | 25,553 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 91 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +25,462 | 0.0pp |