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 Deniliquin (part), accounting for 87.7% (6,521 people). This share was lower than Edward River (A) (87.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 337 people, while its share rose by 0.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Deniliquin (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Deniliquin (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Edward River (A) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Deniliquin (part), with comparison markers for Edward River (A).

Deniliquin (part)
Edward River (A)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

6,521

% of total

87.7%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

202

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

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

2021 count

25

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

680

% of total

9.1%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Deniliquin (part). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Edward River (A).

Proficiency in English for Deniliquin (part). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Edward River (A).
Proficiency in English for Deniliquin (part). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Edward River (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Edward River (A)%Count%Edward River (A)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only6,52187.7%87.9%6,85887.2%87.2%-337+0.5pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well2022.7%2.7%2182.8%2.7%-16-0.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All250.3%0.3%660.8%0.8%-41-0.5pp
Total Not Stated6809.1%9.1%7229.2%9.4%-42-0.1pp
Total7,432100.0%100.0%7,862100.0%100.0%-4300.0pp