Diverse Voices: Which Languages Are Spoken in Adelaide?
Adelaide is one of the most diverse cities in Australia. It reflects in our culture, people, and interestingly, our language.
In fact, according to Informed Decisions, Adelaideans speak English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Hindi, Korean, and more! It comes as no surprise given how welcoming our city is to immigrants.
What is the most dominant language in Adelaide aside from English?
In terms of non-English languages, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Vietnamese are the most widely spoken in Adelaide as of 2021. The table below provides a complete breakdown of the number of people who speak each of these languages.
| Language | Percentage of Adelaideans That Speak It |
| Mandarin | 13.7% |
| Cantonese | 3.3% |
| Vietnamese | 1.7% |
| Hindi | 1.4% |
| Korean | 1.1% |
| Spanish | 1.0% |
| Greek | 0.9% |
| Filipino | 0.9% |
| Arabic | 0.9% |
| Italian | 0.8 |
As we can see, the majority of the languages spoken in Adelaide, aside from English, are from Asian countries. The only European languages are Spanish, Greek, and Italian.
What are the language requirements for college education in Adelaide?
To study in Adelaide as an international student, you will need to have one of the following:
| Requirement | Description |
| IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Score | -At least 6.5 for overall band score -6.0 for all bands |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | -At least 58 for overall score -No less than 50 for all skills |
| C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English: Advanced) | -At least 176 for overall score -No less than 169 for all skills |
| Pearson Test of English | -At least 58 for overall score -No less than 50 for all skills |
| Australian citizenship | |
| Citizenship from an English speaking country | -USA -UK -Canada -New Zealand -South Africa -Republic of Ireland |
| Bachelor’s degree from universities qualified under Australia Qualifications Framework |
This is according to the guidelines of the University of Adelaide. Other universities may have similar or more lenient requirements.
What are the language requirements for working in Adelaide?
According to the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) program of South Australia, you can get a temporary visa if
- You got a score of 5.0 overall for IELTS or (International English Language Testing System), and at least 4.0 for individual bands
- You have passing scores for
- C1 Advanced
- Occupational English Test
- Pearson Test of English
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
