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 Brukunga, accounting for 92% (368 people). This share was higher than Mount Barker (DC) (90.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which decreased by 9 people and 2 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Brukunga - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Brukunga in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mount Barker (DC) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Brukunga, with comparison markers for Mount Barker (DC).

Brukunga
Mount Barker (DC)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

368

% of total

92.0%

Change from 2016

+5.2pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

4

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-2.0pp

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

30

% of total

7.5%

Change from 2016

-3.6pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Brukunga. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Barker (DC).

Proficiency in English for Brukunga. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Barker (DC).
Proficiency in English for Brukunga. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Barker (DC).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mount Barker (DC)%Count%Mount Barker (DC)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only36892.0%90.9%37686.8%90.9%-8+5.2pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well41.0%4.8%133.0%3.9%-9-2.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All00.0%0.4%00.0%0.3%00.0pp
Total Not Stated307.5%3.9%4811.1%4.9%-18-3.6pp
Total400100.0%100.0%433100.0%100.0%-330.0pp