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 Roger River, accounting for 76.5% (39 people). This share was lower than Circular Head (M) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 4 people and 9.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Roger River - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Roger River in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Circular Head (M) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Roger River, with comparison markers for Circular Head (M).

Roger River
Circular Head (M)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

39

% of total

76.5%

Change from 2016

+10.4pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

11

% of total

21.6%

Change from 2016

+9.7pp

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

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

-5.1pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

4

% of total

7.8%

Change from 2016

-7.5pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Roger River. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Circular Head (M).

Proficiency in English for Roger River. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Circular Head (M).
Proficiency in English for Roger River. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Circular Head (M).
Category20212016Change
Count%Circular Head (M)%Count%Circular Head (M)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only3976.5%87.4%3966.1%90.1%0+10.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well1121.6%4.3%711.9%2.1%+4+9.7pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All00.0%0.3%35.1%0.4%-3-5.1pp
Total Not Stated47.8%8.1%915.3%7.3%-5-7.5pp
Total51100.0%100.0%59100.0%100.0%-80.0pp