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 Toowoomba (R), accounting for 85.5% (148,153 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which increased by 8,615 people, while its share fell by 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Toowoomba (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises proficiency in english for Toowoomba (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Toowoomba (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Total Speaks English Only
2021 count
148,153
% of total
85.5%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
148,153
85.5%
-1.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
2021 count
13,290
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
13,290
7.7%
+2.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
2021 count
2,750
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
2,750
1.6%
+0.6pp
Total Not Stated
2021 count
9,013
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
9,013
5.2%
-1.3pp
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
+8,615
-1.3pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
+4,102
+2.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
+1,190
+0.6pp
Total Not Stated
-1,477
-1.3pp
Data table
Proficiency in English for Toowoomba (R). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Total Speaks English Only | 148,153 | 85.5% | 83.7% | 139,538 | 86.8% | 84.3% | +8,615 | -1.3pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 13,290 | 7.7% | 8.1% | 9,188 | 5.7% | 7.0% | +4,102 | +2.0pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 2,750 | 1.6% | 1.1% | 1,560 | 1.0% | 1.1% | +1,190 | +0.6pp |
| Total Not Stated | 9,013 | 5.2% | 7.1% | 10,490 | 6.5% | 7.6% | -1,477 | -1.3pp |
| Total | 173,204 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 160,779 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,425 | 0.0pp |