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 Diamantina (S), accounting for 71.1% (189 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 50 people and 11 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Diamantina (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Diamantina (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Diamantina (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.

Diamantina (S)
Regional Qld

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

189

% of total

71.1%

Change from 2016

-11.0pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

23

% of total

8.6%

Change from 2016

+4.8pp

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

2021 count

6

% of total

2.3%

Change from 2016

+1.3pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

54

% of total

20.3%

Change from 2016

+6.6pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Diamantina (S). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.

Proficiency in English for Diamantina (S). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
Proficiency in English for Diamantina (S). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional Qld%Count%Regional Qld%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only18971.1%83.7%23982.1%84.3%-50-11.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well238.6%8.1%113.8%7.0%+12+4.8pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All62.3%1.1%31.0%1.1%+3+1.3pp
Total Not Stated5420.3%7.1%4013.7%7.6%+14+6.6pp
Total266100.0%100.0%291100.0%100.0%-250.0pp