Cultural diversity
Speaks English
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.
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 Migratory - Offshore - Shipping (WA), accounting for 45.1% (232 people). This share was lower than Western Australia (75.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 77 people and 26.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Migratory - Offshore - Shipping (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises speaks english for Migratory - Offshore - Shipping (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Western Australia and change since 2016.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Migratory - Offshore - Shipping (WA), with comparison markers for Western Australia.
Total Speaks English Only
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
Total Not Stated
Chart view
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
-77
-26.1pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+4
-1.2pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
0
-0.1pp
Total Not Stated
+146
+25.8pp
Data table
Speaks English for Migratory - Offshore - Shipping (WA). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Western Australia.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Western Australia% | Count | % | Western Australia% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 232 | 45.1% | 75.3% | 309 | 71.2% | 75.2% | -77 | -26.1pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 59 | 11.5% | 16.5% | 55 | 12.7% | 15.2% | +4 | -1.2pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 3 | 0.6% | 2.3% | 3 | 0.7% | 2.5% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Total Not Stated | 218 | 42.4% | 5.9% | 72 | 16.6% | 7.0% | +146 | +25.8pp |
| Total | 514 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 434 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +80 | 0.0pp |