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 Binjari, accounting for 72.1% (173 people). This share was higher than Katherine (T) (18.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 67 people and 16.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Binjari - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Binjari in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Katherine (T) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Binjari, with comparison markers for Katherine (T).

Binjari
Katherine (T)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

44

% of total

18.3%

Change from 2016

-10.1pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

173

% of total

72.1%

Change from 2016

+16.3pp

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

2021 count

8

% of total

3.3%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

17

% of total

7.1%

Change from 2016

-4.5pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Binjari. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Katherine (T).

Proficiency in English for Binjari. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Katherine (T).
Proficiency in English for Binjari. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Katherine (T).
Category20212016Change
Count%Katherine (T)%Count%Katherine (T)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only4418.3%65.5%5428.4%64.9%-10-10.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well17372.1%18.2%10655.8%13.1%+67+16.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All83.3%1.5%84.2%1.4%0-0.9pp
Total Not Stated177.1%14.8%2211.6%20.4%-5-4.5pp
Total240100.0%100.0%190100.0%100.0%+500.0pp