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, another language and English well or very well was the most common English-proficiency response among residents in Christmas Island, accounting for 31.9% (539 people). This share was lower than Other Territories (33%).
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Christmas Island - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises proficiency in english for Christmas Island in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Other Territories and change since 2016.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Christmas Island, with comparison markers for Other Territories.
Total Speaks English Only
2021 count
495
% of total
29.3%
Change from 2016
-
495
29.3%
-
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
2021 count
539
% of total
31.9%
Change from 2016
-
539
31.9%
-
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
2021 count
206
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-
206
12.2%
-
Total Not Stated
2021 count
451
% of total
26.7%
Change from 2016
-
451
26.7%
-
Chart view
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Data table
Proficiency in English for Christmas Island. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Other Territories.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Other Territories% | Count | % | Other Territories% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 495 | 29.3% | 40.8% | - | - | 37.3% | - | - |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 539 | 31.9% | 33.0% | - | - | 37.2% | - | - |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 206 | 12.2% | 7.5% | - | - | 9.6% | - | - |
| Total Not Stated | 451 | 26.7% | 18.6% | - | - | 15.9% | - | - |
| Total | 1,692 | 100.0% | 100.0% | - | - | 100.0% | - | - |