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 Cossack (NT), accounting for 68.5% (886 people). This share was higher than Katherine (T) (65.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 44 people, while its share fell by 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Cossack (NT) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises proficiency in english for Cossack (NT) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Katherine (T) and change since 2016.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cossack (NT), with comparison markers for Katherine (T).
Total Speaks English Only
2021 count
886
% of total
68.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
886
68.5%
-0.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
2021 count
191
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
191
14.8%
-0.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
2021 count
12
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
12
0.9%
-0.7pp
Total Not Stated
2021 count
201
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
201
15.5%
+0.9pp
Chart view
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
+44
-0.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+9
-0.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
-7
-0.7pp
Total Not Stated
+22
+0.9pp
Data table
Proficiency in English for Cossack (NT). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Katherine (T).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Katherine (T)% | Count | % | Katherine (T)% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 886 | 68.5% | 65.5% | 842 | 68.8% | 64.9% | +44 | -0.3pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 191 | 14.8% | 18.2% | 182 | 14.9% | 13.1% | +9 | -0.1pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 12 | 0.9% | 1.5% | 19 | 1.6% | 1.4% | -7 | -0.7pp |
| Total Not Stated | 201 | 15.5% | 14.8% | 179 | 14.6% | 20.4% | +22 | +0.9pp |
| Total | 1,293 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,223 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +70 | 0.0pp |