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 Temma, accounting for 50% (7 people). This share was lower than Circular Head (M) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 84 people and 43.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Temma - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Proficiency in English snapshot

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

Temma
Circular Head (M)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

7

% of total

50.0%

Change from 2016

-43.8pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

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

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

6

% of total

42.9%

Change from 2016

+39.8pp

Data table

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

Proficiency in English for Temma. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Circular Head (M).
Proficiency in English for Temma. 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 Only750.0%87.4%9193.8%90.1%-84-43.8pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well00.0%4.3%00.0%2.1%00.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All00.0%0.3%00.0%0.4%00.0pp
Total Not Stated642.9%8.1%33.1%7.3%+3+39.8pp
Total14100.0%100.0%97100.0%100.0%-830.0pp