1 | Northern European Languages | ||||
10 | Northern European Languages, nfd | ||||
1000 | Northern European Languages, nfd | ||||
11 | Celtic | ||||
1100 | Celtic, nfd | ||||
1101 | Gaelic (Scotland) | ||||
1102 | Irish | ||||
1103 | Welsh | ||||
1199 | Celtic, nec | ||||
12 | English | ||||
1201 | English | ||||
13 | German and Related Languages | ||||
1300 | German and Related Languages, nfd | ||||
1301 | German | ||||
1302 | Letzeburgish | ||||
1303 | Yiddish | ||||
14 | Dutch and Related Languages | ||||
1400 | Dutch and Related Languages, nfd | ||||
1401 | Dutch | ||||
1402 | Frisian | ||||
1403 | Afrikaans | ||||
15 | Scandinavian | ||||
1500 | Scandinavian, nfd | ||||
1501 | Danish | ||||
1502 | Icelandic | ||||
1503 | Norwegian | ||||
1504 | Swedish | ||||
1599 | Scandinavian, nec | ||||
16 | Finnish and Related Languages | ||||
1600 | Finnish and Related Languages, nfd | ||||
1601 | Estonian | ||||
1602 | Finnish | ||||
1699 | Finnish and Related Languages, nec |
Language used at home (LANP)
Definition
This variable identifies whether a person uses a language other than English at home and if so, records the main non-English language which is used. The purpose of this variable is to identify the main languages other than English which are used in households across Australia.
Scope
All persons
Categories
Language used at home (LANP) is classified using the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), 2016. The categories are listed in groups below. The full list is available from the Data downloads on this page.
1 Northern European Languages
2 Southern European Languages
2 | Southern European Languages | ||||
20 | Southern European Languages, nfd | ||||
2000 | Southern European Languages, nfd | ||||
21 | French | ||||
2101 | French | ||||
22 | Greek | ||||
2201 | Greek | ||||
23 | Iberian Romance | ||||
2300 | Iberian Romance, nfd | ||||
2301 | Catalan | ||||
2302 | Portuguese | ||||
2303 | Spanish | ||||
2399 | Iberian Romance, nec | ||||
24 | Italian | ||||
2401 | Italian | ||||
25 | Maltese | ||||
2501 | Maltese | ||||
29 | Other Southern European Languages | ||||
2900 | Other Southern European Languages, nfd | ||||
2901 | Basque | ||||
2902 | Latin | ||||
2999 | Other Southern European Languages, nec |
3 Eastern European Languages
3 | Eastern European Languages | ||||
30 | Eastern European Languages, nfd | ||||
3000 | Eastern European Languages, nfd | ||||
31 | Baltic | ||||
3100 | Baltic, nfd | ||||
3101 | Latvian | ||||
3102 | Lithuanian | ||||
33 | Hungarian | ||||
3301 | Hungarian | ||||
34 | East Slavic | ||||
3400 | East Slavic, nfd | ||||
3401 | Belorussian | ||||
3402 | Russian | ||||
3403 | Ukrainian | ||||
35 | South Slavic | ||||
3500 | South Slavic, nfd | ||||
3501 | Bosnian | ||||
3502 | Bulgarian | ||||
3503 | Croatian | ||||
3504 | Macedonian | ||||
3505 | Serbian | ||||
3506 | Slovene | ||||
3507 | Serbo-Croatian/Yugoslavian, so described | ||||
36 | West Slavic | ||||
3600 | West Slavic, nfd | ||||
3601 | Czech | ||||
3602 | Polish | ||||
3603 | Slovak | ||||
3604 | Czechoslovakian, so described | ||||
39 | Other Eastern European Languages | ||||
3900 | Other Eastern European Languages, nfd | ||||
3901 | Albanian | ||||
3903 | Aromunian (Macedo-Romanian) | ||||
3904 | Romanian | ||||
3905 | Romany | ||||
3999 | Other Eastern European Languages, nec |
4 Southwest and Central Asian Languages
4 | Southwest and Central Asian Languages | ||||
40 | Southwest and Central Asian Languages, nfd | ||||
4000 | Southwest and Central Asian Languages, nfd | ||||
41 | Iranic | ||||
4100 | Iranic, nfd | ||||
4101 | Kurdish | ||||
4102 | Pashto | ||||
4104 | Balochi | ||||
4105 | Dari | ||||
4106 | Persian (excluding Dari) | ||||
4107 | Hazaraghi | ||||
4199 | Iranic, nec | ||||
42 | Middle Eastern Semitic Languages | ||||
4200 | Middle Eastern Semitic Languages, nfd | ||||
4202 | Arabic | ||||
4204 | Hebrew | ||||
4206 | Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | ||||
4207 | Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | ||||
4208 | Mandaean (Mandaic) | ||||
4299 | Middle Eastern Semitic Languages, nec | ||||
43 | Turkic | ||||
4300 | Turkic, nfd | ||||
4301 | Turkish | ||||
4302 | Azeri | ||||
4303 | Tatar | ||||
4304 | Turkmen | ||||
4305 | Uygur | ||||
4306 | Uzbek | ||||
4399 | Turkic, nec | ||||
49 | Other Southwest and Central Asian Languages | ||||
4900 | Other Southwest and Central Asian Languages, nfd | ||||
4901 | Armenian | ||||
4902 | Georgian | ||||
4999 | Other Southwest and Central Asian Languages, nec |
5 Southern Asian Languages
5 | Southern Asian Languages | ||||
50 | Southern Asian Languages, nfd | ||||
5000 | Southern Asian Languages, nfd | ||||
51 | Dravidian | ||||
5100 | Dravidian, nfd | ||||
5101 | Kannada | ||||
5102 | Malayalam | ||||
5103 | Tamil | ||||
5104 | Telugu | ||||
5105 | Tulu | ||||
5199 | Dravidian, nec | ||||
52 | Indo-Aryan | ||||
5200 | Indo-Aryan, nfd | ||||
5201 | Bengali | ||||
5202 | Gujarati | ||||
5203 | Hindi | ||||
5204 | Konkani | ||||
5205 | Marathi | ||||
5206 | Nepali | ||||
5207 | Punjabi | ||||
5208 | Sindhi | ||||
5211 | Sinhalese | ||||
5212 | Urdu | ||||
5213 | Assamese | ||||
5214 | Dhivehi | ||||
5215 | Kashmiri | ||||
5216 | Oriya | ||||
5217 | Fijian Hindustani | ||||
5299 | Indo-Aryan, nec | ||||
59 | Other Southern Asian Languages | ||||
5999 | Other Southern Asian Languages |
6 Southeast Asian Languages
6 | Southeast Asian Languages | ||||
60 | Southeast Asian Languages, nfd | ||||
6000 | Southeast Asian Languages, nfd | ||||
61 | Burmese and Related Languages | ||||
6100 | Burmese and Related Languages, nfd | ||||
6101 | Burmese | ||||
6102 | Chin Haka | ||||
6103 | Karen | ||||
6104 | Rohingya | ||||
6105 | Zomi | ||||
6199 | Burmese and Related Languages, nec | ||||
62 | Hmong-Mien | ||||
6200 | Hmong-Mien, nfd | ||||
6201 | Hmong | ||||
6299 | Hmong-Mien, nec | ||||
63 | Mon-Khmer | ||||
6300 | Mon-Khmer, nfd | ||||
6301 | Khmer | ||||
6302 | Vietnamese | ||||
6303 | Mon | ||||
6399 | Mon-Khmer, nec | ||||
64 | Tai | ||||
6400 | Tai, nfd | ||||
6401 | Lao | ||||
6402 | Thai | ||||
6499 | Tai, nec | ||||
65 | Southeast Asian Austronesian Languages | ||||
6500 | Southeast Asian Austronesian Languages, nfd | ||||
6501 | Bisaya | ||||
6502 | Cebuano | ||||
6503 | Ilokano | ||||
6504 | Indonesian | ||||
6505 | Malay | ||||
6507 | Tetum | ||||
6508 | Timorese | ||||
6511 | Tagalog | ||||
6512 | Filipino | ||||
6513 | Acehnese | ||||
6514 | Balinese | ||||
6515 | Bikol | ||||
6516 | Iban | ||||
6517 | Ilonggo (Hiligaynon) | ||||
6518 | Javanese | ||||
6521 | Pampangan | ||||
6599 | Southeast Asian Austronesian Languages, nec | ||||
69 | Other Southeast Asian Languages | ||||
6999 | Other Southeast Asian Languages |
7 Eastern Asian Languages
7 | Eastern Asian Languages | ||||
70 | Eastern Asian Languages, nfd | ||||
7000 | Eastern Asian Languages, nfd | ||||
71 | Chinese | ||||
7100 | Chinese, nfd | ||||
7101 | Cantonese | ||||
7102 | Hakka | ||||
7104 | Mandarin | ||||
7106 | Wu | ||||
7107 | Min Nan | ||||
7199 | Chinese, nec | ||||
72 | Japanese | ||||
7201 | Japanese | ||||
73 | Korean | ||||
7301 | Korean | ||||
79 | Other Eastern Asian Languages | ||||
7900 | Other Eastern Asian Languages, nfd | ||||
7901 | Tibetan | ||||
7902 | Mongolian | ||||
7999 | Other Eastern Asian Languages, nec |
8 Australian Indigenous Languages
8 | Australian Indigenous Languages | ||||
80 | Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | ||||
8000 | Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | ||||
81 | Arnhem Land and Daly River Region Languages | ||||
8100 | Arnhem Land and Daly River Region Languages, nfd | ||||
8101 | Anindilyakwa | ||||
8111 | Maung | ||||
8113 | Ngan'gikurunggurr | ||||
8114 | Nunggubuyu | ||||
8115 | Rembarrnga | ||||
8117 | Tiwi | ||||
8121 | Alawa | ||||
8122 | Dalabon | ||||
8123 | Gudanji | ||||
8127 | Iwaidja | ||||
8128 | Jaminjung | ||||
8131 | Jawoyn | ||||
8132 | Jingulu | ||||
8133 | Kunbarlang | ||||
8136 | Larrakiya | ||||
8137 | Malak Malak | ||||
8138 | Mangarrayi | ||||
8141 | Maringarr | ||||
8142 | Marra | ||||
8143 | Marrithiyel | ||||
8144 | Matngala | ||||
8146 | Murrinh Patha | ||||
8147 | Na-kara | ||||
8148 | Ndjebbana (Gunavidji) | ||||
8151 | Ngalakgan | ||||
8152 | Ngaliwurru | ||||
8153 | Nungali | ||||
8154 | Wambaya | ||||
8155 | Wardaman | ||||
8156 | Amurdak | ||||
8157 | Garrwa | ||||
8158 | Kuwema | ||||
8161 | Marramaninyshi | ||||
8162 | Ngandi | ||||
8163 | Waanyi | ||||
8164 | Wagiman | ||||
8165 | Yanyuwa | ||||
8166 | Marridan (Maridan) | ||||
817 | Kunwinjkuan | ||||
8170 | Kunwinjkuan, nfd | ||||
8171 | Gundjeihmi | ||||
8172 | Kune | ||||
8173 | Kuninjku | ||||
8174 | Kunwinjku | ||||
8175 | Mayali | ||||
8179 | Kunwinjkuan, nec | ||||
818 | Burarran | ||||
8180 | Burarran, nfd | ||||
8181 | Burarra | ||||
8182 | Gun-nartpa | ||||
8183 | Gurr-goni | ||||
8189 | Burarran, nec | ||||
8199 | Arnhem Land and Daly River Region Languages, nec | ||||
82 | Yolngu Matha | ||||
8200 | Yolngu Matha, nfd | ||||
821 | Dhangu | ||||
8210 | Dhangu, nfd | ||||
8211 | Galpu | ||||
8212 | Golumala | ||||
8213 | Wangurri | ||||
8219 | Dhangu, nec | ||||
822 | Dhay'yi | ||||
8220 | Dhay'yi, nfd | ||||
8221 | Dhalwangu | ||||
8222 | Djarrwark | ||||
8229 | Dhay'yi, nec | ||||
823 | Dhuwal | ||||
8230 | Dhuwal, nfd | ||||
8231 | Djambarrpuyngu | ||||
8232 | Djapu | ||||
8233 | Daatiwuy | ||||
8234 | Marrangu | ||||
8235 | Liyagalawumirr | ||||
8236 | Liyagawumirr | ||||
8239 | Dhuwal, nec | ||||
824 | Dhuwala | ||||
8240 | Dhuwala, nfd | ||||
8242 | Gumatj | ||||
8243 | Gupapuyngu | ||||
8244 | Guyamirrilili | ||||
8246 | Manggalili | ||||
8247 | Wubulkarra | ||||
8249 | Dhuwala, nec | ||||
825 | Djinang | ||||
8250 | Djinang, nfd | ||||
8251 | Wurlaki | ||||
8259 | Djinang, nec | ||||
826 | Djinba | ||||
8260 | Djinba, nfd | ||||
8261 | Ganalbingu | ||||
8262 | Djinba | ||||
8263 | Manyjalpingu | ||||
8269 | Djinba, nec | ||||
827 | Yakuy | ||||
8270 | Yakuy, nfd | ||||
8271 | Ritharrngu | ||||
8272 | Wagilak | ||||
8279 | Yakuy, nec | ||||
828 | Nhangu | ||||
8281 | Nhangu | ||||
8282 | Yan-nhangu | ||||
8289 | Nhangu, nec | ||||
829 | Other Yolngu Matha | ||||
8291 | Dhuwaya | ||||
8292 | Djangu | ||||
8293 | Madarrpa | ||||
8294 | Warramiri | ||||
8295 | Rirratjingu | ||||
8299 | Other Yolngu Matha, nec | ||||
83 | Cape York Peninsula Languages | ||||
8300 | Cape York Peninsula Languages, nfd | ||||
8301 | Kuku Yalanji | ||||
8302 | Guugu Yimidhirr | ||||
8303 | Kuuku-Ya'u | ||||
8304 | Wik Mungkan | ||||
8305 | Djabugay | ||||
8306 | Dyirbal | ||||
8307 | Girramay | ||||
8308 | Koko-Bera | ||||
8311 | Kuuk Thayorre | ||||
8312 | Lamalama | ||||
8313 | Yidiny | ||||
8314 | Wik Ngathan | ||||
8315 | Alngith | ||||
8316 | Kugu Muminh | ||||
8317 | Morrobalama | ||||
8318 | Thaynakwith | ||||
8321 | Yupangathi | ||||
8322 | Tjungundji | ||||
8399 | Cape York Peninsula Languages, nec | ||||
84 | Torres Strait Island Languages | ||||
8400 | Torres Strait Island Languages, nfd | ||||
8401 | Kalaw Kawaw Ya/Kalaw Lagaw Ya | ||||
8402 | Meriam Mir | ||||
8403 | Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) | ||||
85 | Northern Desert Fringe Area Languages | ||||
8500 | Northern Desert Fringe Area Languages, nfd | ||||
8504 | Bilinarra | ||||
8505 | Gurindji | ||||
8506 | Gurindji Kriol | ||||
8507 | Jaru | ||||
8508 | Light Warlpiri | ||||
8511 | Malngin | ||||
8512 | Mudburra | ||||
8514 | Ngardi | ||||
8515 | Ngarinyman | ||||
8516 | Walmajarri | ||||
8517 | Wanyjirra | ||||
8518 | Warlmanpa | ||||
8521 | Warlpiri | ||||
8522 | Warumungu | ||||
8599 | Northern Desert Fringe Area Languages, nec | ||||
86 | Arandic | ||||
8600 | Arandic, nfd | ||||
8603 | Alyawarr | ||||
8606 | Kaytetye | ||||
8607 | Antekerrepenh | ||||
861 | Anmatyerr | ||||
8610 | Anmatyerr, nfd | ||||
8611 | Central Anmatyerr | ||||
8612 | Eastern Anmatyerr | ||||
8619 | Anmatyerr, nec | ||||
862 | Arrernte | ||||
8620 | Arrernte, nfd | ||||
8621 | Eastern Arrernte | ||||
8622 | Western Arrarnta | ||||
8629 | Arrernte, nec | ||||
8699 | Arandic, nec | ||||
87 | Western Desert Languages | ||||
8700 | Western Desert Languages, nfd | ||||
8703 | Antikarinya | ||||
8704 | Kartujarra | ||||
8705 | Kukatha | ||||
8706 | Kukatja | ||||
8707 | Luritja | ||||
8708 | Manyjilyjarra | ||||
8711 | Martu Wangka | ||||
8712 | Ngaanyatjarra | ||||
8713 | Pintupi | ||||
8714 | Pitjantjatjara | ||||
8715 | Wangkajunga | ||||
8716 | Wangkatha | ||||
8717 | Warnman | ||||
8718 | Yankunytjatjara | ||||
8721 | Yulparija | ||||
8722 | Tjupany | ||||
8799 | Western Desert Languages, nec | ||||
88 | Kimberley Area Languages | ||||
8800 | Kimberley Area Languages, nfd | ||||
8801 | Bardi | ||||
8802 | Bunuba | ||||
8803 | Gooniyandi | ||||
8804 | Miriwoong | ||||
8805 | Ngarinyin | ||||
8806 | Nyikina | ||||
8807 | Worla | ||||
8808 | Worrorra | ||||
8811 | Wunambal | ||||
8812 | Yawuru | ||||
8813 | Gambera | ||||
8814 | Jawi | ||||
8815 | Kija | ||||
8899 | Kimberley Area Languages, nec | ||||
89 | Other Australian Indigenous Languages | ||||
8900 | Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | ||||
8901 | Adnymathanha | ||||
8902 | Arabana | ||||
8903 | Bandjalang | ||||
8904 | Banyjima | ||||
8905 | Batjala | ||||
8906 | Bidjara | ||||
8907 | Dhanggatti | ||||
8908 | Diyari | ||||
8911 | Gamilaraay | ||||
8913 | Garuwali | ||||
8914 | Githabul | ||||
8915 | Gumbaynggir | ||||
8916 | Kanai | ||||
8917 | Karajarri | ||||
8918 | Kariyarra | ||||
8921 | Kaurna | ||||
8922 | Kayardild | ||||
8924 | Kriol | ||||
8925 | Lardil | ||||
8926 | Mangala | ||||
8927 | Muruwari | ||||
8928 | Narungga | ||||
8931 | Ngarluma | ||||
8932 | Ngarrindjeri | ||||
8933 | Nyamal | ||||
8934 | Nyangumarta | ||||
8935 | Nyungar | ||||
8936 | Paakantyi | ||||
8937 | Palyku/Nyiyaparli | ||||
8938 | Wajarri | ||||
8941 | Wiradjuri | ||||
8943 | Yindjibarndi | ||||
8944 | Yinhawangka | ||||
8945 | Yorta Yorta | ||||
8946 | Baanbay | ||||
8947 | Badimaya | ||||
8948 | Barababaraba | ||||
8951 | Dadi Dadi | ||||
8952 | Dharawal | ||||
8953 | Djabwurrung | ||||
8954 | Gudjal | ||||
8955 | Keerray-Woorroong | ||||
8956 | Ladji Ladji | ||||
8957 | Mirning | ||||
8958 | Ngatjumaya | ||||
8961 | Waluwarra | ||||
8962 | Wangkangurru | ||||
8963 | Wargamay | ||||
8964 | Wergaia | ||||
8965 | Yugambeh | ||||
8998 | Aboriginal English, so described | ||||
8999 | Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec |
9 Other Languages
9 | Other Languages | ||||
90 | Other Languages, nfd | ||||
9000 | Other Languages, nfd | ||||
91 | American Languages | ||||
9101 | American Languages | ||||
92 | African Languages | ||||
9200 | African Languages, nfd | ||||
9201 | Acholi | ||||
9203 | Akan | ||||
9205 | Mauritian Creole | ||||
9206 | Oromo | ||||
9207 | Shona | ||||
9208 | Somali | ||||
9211 | Swahili | ||||
9212 | Yoruba | ||||
9213 | Zulu | ||||
9214 | Amharic | ||||
9215 | Bemba | ||||
9216 | Dinka | ||||
9217 | Ewe | ||||
9218 | Ga | ||||
9221 | Harari | ||||
9222 | Hausa | ||||
9223 | Igbo | ||||
9224 | Kikuyu | ||||
9225 | Krio | ||||
9226 | Luganda | ||||
9227 | Luo | ||||
9228 | Ndebele | ||||
9231 | Nuer | ||||
9232 | Nyanja (Chichewa) | ||||
9233 | Shilluk | ||||
9234 | Tigre | ||||
9235 | Tigrinya | ||||
9236 | Tswana | ||||
9237 | Xhosa | ||||
9238 | Seychelles Creole | ||||
9241 | Anuak | ||||
9242 | Bari | ||||
9243 | Bassa | ||||
9244 | Dan (Gio-Dan) | ||||
9245 | Fulfulde | ||||
9246 | Kinyarwanda (Rwanda) | ||||
9247 | Kirundi (Rundi) | ||||
9248 | Kpelle | ||||
9251 | Krahn | ||||
9252 | Liberian (Liberian English) | ||||
9253 | Loma (Lorma) | ||||
9254 | Lumun (Kuku Lumun) | ||||
9255 | Madi | ||||
9256 | Mandinka | ||||
9257 | Mann | ||||
9258 | Moro (Nuba Moro) | ||||
9261 | Themne | ||||
9262 | Lingala | ||||
9299 | African Languages, nec | ||||
93 | Pacific Austronesian Languages | ||||
9300 | Pacific Austronesian Languages, nfd | ||||
9301 | Fijian | ||||
9302 | Gilbertese | ||||
9303 | Maori (Cook Island) | ||||
9304 | Maori (New Zealand) | ||||
9306 | Nauruan | ||||
9307 | Niue | ||||
9308 | Samoan | ||||
9311 | Tongan | ||||
9312 | Rotuman | ||||
9313 | Tokelauan | ||||
9314 | Tuvaluan | ||||
9315 | Yapese | ||||
9399 | Pacific Austronesian Languages, nec | ||||
94 | Oceanian Pidgins and Creoles | ||||
9400 | Oceanian Pidgins and Creoles, nfd | ||||
9402 | Bislama | ||||
9403 | Hawaiian English | ||||
9404 | Norf'k-Pitcairn | ||||
9405 | Solomon Islands Pijin | ||||
9499 | Oceanian Pidgins and Creoles, nec | ||||
95 | Papua New Guinea Languages | ||||
9500 | Papua New Guinea Languages, nfd | ||||
9502 | Kiwai | ||||
9503 | Motu (HiriMotu) | ||||
9504 | Tok Pisin (Neomelanesian) | ||||
9599 | Papua New Guinea Languages, nec | ||||
96 | Invented Languages | ||||
9601 | Invented Languages | ||||
97 | Sign Languages | ||||
9700 | Sign Languages, nfd | ||||
9701 | Auslan | ||||
9702 | Key Word Sign Australia | ||||
9799 | Sign Languages, nec |
Supplementary codes
0 | Supplementary codes | ||||
00 | Supplementary codes | ||||
0000 | Inadequately described | ||||
0001 | Non-verbal, so described | ||||
0003 | Swiss, so described | ||||
0004 | Cypriot, so described | ||||
0005 | Creole, nfd | ||||
0006 | French Creole, nfd | ||||
0007 | Spanish Creole, nfd | ||||
0008 | Portuguese Creole, nfd | ||||
0009 | Pidgin, nfd | ||||
& | Not stated | ||||
&& | Not stated | ||||
&&&& | Not stated | ||||
V | Overseas visitor | ||||
VV | Overseas visitor | ||||
VVVV | Overseas visitor |
Number of categories:
- One digit level: 12
- Two digit level: 63
- Three digit level: 63
- Four digit level: 505
See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.
Question(s) from the Census form
Does the person use a language other than English at home?
Image
Description
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Alternative response options - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Description
Alternative response options - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
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Example
Description
Example
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More information
Description
More information
How this variable is created
This variable is created from responses to the language used at home question. Respondents may either use a mark box to indicate the language used at home or write the name of the language in the text field. When a person marks more than one language or marks a language and gives a text response, responses are accepted in the order they appeared on the form and the extra response is rejected.
The majority of responses for LANP are captured automatically from the mark box response. Written responses are coded using a combination of automatic reading and coding processes. The remaining responses require manual coding processes when they could not be coded or derived automatically.
If a response is not listed in the classification, it is coded to 'Inadequately described'.
History and changes
A question relating to languages spoken was first asked in the 1933 Census, but not again until the 1976 Census. All Censuses since then have included a similar question.
In 1933, the question asked people who could not read and write in English but were able to read and write in a foreign language, to state that language. In 1976, people were asked for all languages spoken. In 1981 and 1986, all people were asked if they spoke a language other than English at home and, if so, how well they spoke English. In addition to this, since 1991 people have been asked to name their non-English language.
In the 2021 Census, the question wording was amended to include the word 'use' rather than 'speak' to better accommodate members of the community who use sign language.
The response category order has changed based on the most common answers from the 2016 Census:
- 'Yes, Italian' changed from 3rd to 6th position
- 'Yes, Arabic' changed from 4th to 3rd position
- 'Yes, Cantonese' changed from 5th to 4th position
- 'Yes, Greek' changed from 6th to 7th position
- 'Yes, Vietnamese' changed from 7th to 5th position
An enhancement to the online form presented a check box for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander language for those respondents who identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander in the Indigenous status question. To improve the data collected on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, the person also had the option of specifying the language.
Data use considerations
This question only allows for one answer and therefore the number of responses shown in the category '1201 English' is not all persons who use English, but specifically persons who use only English at home.
Persons who report a language other than English to the 'language used at home' question are then asked 'How well does the person speak English?'. Responses to this question are coded to the variable Proficiency in spoken English (ENGLP).
The non-response rate for Language used at home (LANP) was 5.7% in 2021. This is a decrease from 6.5% in 2016.