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 Naracoorte and Lucindale (DC), accounting for 82.7% (7,179 people). This share was lower than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 106 people and 0.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Naracoorte and Lucindale (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Naracoorte and Lucindale (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Naracoorte and Lucindale (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.

Naracoorte and Lucindale (DC)
Regional SA

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

7,179

% of total

82.7%

Change from 2016

-3.0pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

662

% of total

7.6%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

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

2021 count

270

% of total

3.1%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

579

% of total

6.7%

Change from 2016

+2.3pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Naracoorte and Lucindale (DC). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.

Proficiency in English for Naracoorte and Lucindale (DC). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
Proficiency in English for Naracoorte and Lucindale (DC). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional SA%Count%Regional SA%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only7,17982.7%87.7%7,10385.7%87.9%+76-3.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well6627.6%4.8%5566.7%4.3%+106+0.9pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All2703.1%0.7%2693.2%0.8%+1-0.1pp
Total Not Stated5796.7%6.7%3674.4%6.9%+212+2.3pp
Total8,686100.0%100.0%8,291100.0%100.0%+3950.0pp