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 Balliang East, accounting for 75.4% (150 people). This share was lower than Moorabool (S) (87.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 91 people, while its share fell by 12.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Balliang East - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Balliang East in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moorabool (S) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Balliang East, with comparison markers for Moorabool (S).

Balliang East
Moorabool (S)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

150

% of total

75.4%

Change from 2016

-12.7pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

8

% of total

4.0%

Change from 2016

+4.0pp

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

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

34

% of total

17.1%

Change from 2016

+8.1pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Balliang East. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moorabool (S).

Proficiency in English for Balliang East. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moorabool (S).
Proficiency in English for Balliang East. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moorabool (S).
Category20212016Change
Count%Moorabool (S)%Count%Moorabool (S)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only15075.4%87.3%5988.1%88.5%+91-12.7pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well84.0%7.2%00.0%5.0%+8+4.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All00.0%0.7%00.0%0.5%00.0pp
Total Not Stated3417.1%4.7%69.0%6.1%+28+8.1pp
Total199100.0%100.0%67100.0%100.0%+1320.0pp