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 Jamboree Heights, accounting for 70.7% (2,221 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (71.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 64 people and 1.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Jamboree Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Jamboree Heights, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).

Jamboree Heights
Brisbane (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

2,221

% of total

70.7%

Change from 2016

-2.1pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

693

% of total

22.1%

Change from 2016

+1.8pp

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

2021 count

134

% of total

4.3%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

85

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Jamboree Heights. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).

Proficiency in English for Jamboree Heights. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Proficiency in English for Jamboree Heights. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Brisbane (C)%Count%Brisbane (C)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only2,22170.7%71.6%2,25272.8%71.8%-31-2.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well69322.1%20.8%62920.3%18.8%+64+1.8pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All1344.3%3.4%1384.5%3.6%-4-0.2pp
Total Not Stated852.7%4.2%692.2%5.8%+16+0.5pp
Total3,141100.0%100.0%3,093100.0%100.0%+480.0pp