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 Farrars Creek, accounting for 25% (4 people). This share was lower than Barcoo (S) (89.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 7,413 people and 58.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Farrars Creek - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Farrars Creek in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Barcoo (S) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Farrars Creek, with comparison markers for Barcoo (S).

Farrars Creek
Barcoo (S)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

4

% of total

25.0%

Change from 2016

-58.7pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

-11.1pp

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

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

5

% of total

31.3%

Change from 2016

+27.4pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Farrars Creek. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Barcoo (S).

Proficiency in English for Farrars Creek. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Barcoo (S).
Proficiency in English for Farrars Creek. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Barcoo (S).
Category20212016Change
Count%Barcoo (S)%Count%Barcoo (S)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only425.0%89.3%7,41783.7%93.6%-7,413-58.7pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well00.0%0.0%98711.1%1.5%-987-11.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All00.0%0.0%1131.3%0.0%-113-1.3pp
Total Not Stated531.3%11.7%3503.9%4.9%-345+27.4pp
Total16100.0%100.0%8,862100.0%100.0%-8,8460.0pp