People who speak little or no English

At the 2021 Census, People who speak little or no English across Australia was 3.4%. It is expressed as a percentage of the relevant group.

Share of people who use another language at home and speak English not well or not at all. No 2011 figure — that census only asked proficiency of overseas-born residents. It is calculated as a percentage of the relevant population or dwellings, so it can be compared fairly between large and small areas.

Across the 2,385 SA2 areas with data, People who speak little or no English ranges from 0.0% to 33.5%, with a typical (median) area at 1.4%. Most areas cluster toward the lower end, with a smaller number of much higher areas stretching the range.

Yes — People who speak little or no English is measured consistently enough to compare across the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Censuses, so the trend over time is meaningful. Nationally it has fallen from 3.5% in 2016 to 3.4% in 2021.

Use the interactive map to compare People who speak little or no English down to block (sa1) and statistical area 2 (sa2) level, or search any suburb, postcode or council area to see its value in context against state and national figures.