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 Larnook (part), accounting for 83.2% (328 people). This share was lower than Lismore (C) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 36 people and 5.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Larnook (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Larnook (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Lismore (C) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Larnook (part), with comparison markers for Lismore (C).

Larnook (part)
Lismore (C)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

328

% of total

83.2%

Change from 2016

+5.5pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

33

% of total

8.4%

Change from 2016

-1.4pp

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

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

31

% of total

7.9%

Change from 2016

-3.8pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Larnook (part). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Lismore (C).

Proficiency in English for Larnook (part). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Lismore (C).
Proficiency in English for Larnook (part). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Lismore (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Lismore (C)%Count%Lismore (C)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only32883.2%87.4%29277.7%87.5%+36+5.5pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well338.4%5.0%379.8%4.4%-4-1.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All00.0%0.4%30.8%0.6%-3-0.8pp
Total Not Stated317.9%7.2%4411.7%7.5%-13-3.8pp
Total394100.0%100.0%376100.0%100.0%+180.0pp