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 Weeroona Island, accounting for 90.6% (106 people). This share was higher than Mount Remarkable (DC) (89.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 100 people and 23.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Weeroona Island - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Weeroona Island, with comparison markers for Mount Remarkable (DC).

Weeroona Island
Mount Remarkable (DC)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

106

% of total

90.6%

Change from 2016

+23.9pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

4

% of total

3.4%

Change from 2016

-29.9pp

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

5

% of total

4.3%

Change from 2016

+4.3pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Weeroona Island. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Remarkable (DC).

Proficiency in English for Weeroona Island. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Remarkable (DC).
Proficiency in English for Weeroona Island. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Remarkable (DC).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mount Remarkable (DC)%Count%Mount Remarkable (DC)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only10690.6%89.7%666.7%91.3%+100+23.9pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well43.4%2.1%333.3%2.1%+1-29.9pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All00.0%0.1%00.0%0.3%00.0pp
Total Not Stated54.3%8.2%00.0%6.3%+5+4.3pp
Total117100.0%100.0%9100.0%100.0%+1080.0pp