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 Robinson, accounting for 91.5% (637 people). This share was higher than Albany (C) (87.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 631 people, while its share fell by 8.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Robinson - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Robinson, with comparison markers for Albany (C).

Robinson
Albany (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

637

% of total

91.5%

Change from 2016

-8.5pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

26

% of total

3.7%

Change from 2016

+3.7pp

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

2021 count

3

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

29

% of total

4.2%

Change from 2016

+4.2pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Robinson. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Albany (C).

Proficiency in English for Robinson. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Albany (C).
Proficiency in English for Robinson. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Albany (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Albany (C)%Count%Albany (C)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only63791.5%87.8%6100.0%86.9%+631-8.5pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well263.7%5.7%00.0%5.6%+26+3.7pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All30.4%0.7%00.0%0.6%+3+0.4pp
Total Not Stated294.2%5.8%00.0%6.9%+29+4.2pp
Total696100.0%100.0%6100.0%100.0%+6900.0pp