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, another language and English well or very well was the most common English-proficiency response among residents in Torres Strait Island (R), accounting for 70.1% (2,891 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (8.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which decreased by 291 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Proficiency in English
Torres Strait Island (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises proficiency in english for Torres Strait Island (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Proficiency in English snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Torres Strait Island (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Total Speaks English Only
2021 count
262
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
262
6.4%
+1.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
2021 count
2,891
% of total
70.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,891
70.1%
-0.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
2021 count
678
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
678
16.4%
+3.7pp
Total Not Stated
2021 count
294
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
294
7.1%
-4.5pp
Chart view
Proficiency in English change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Speaks English Only
+19
+1.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well
-291
-0.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All
+106
+3.7pp
Total Not Stated
-228
-4.5pp
Data table
Proficiency in English for Torres Strait Island (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 | 262 | 6.4% | 83.7% | 243 | 5.4% | 84.3% | +19 | +1.0pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well | 2,891 | 70.1% | 8.1% | 3,182 | 70.5% | 7.0% | -291 | -0.4pp |
| Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All | 678 | 16.4% | 1.1% | 572 | 12.7% | 1.1% | +106 | +3.7pp |
| Total Not Stated | 294 | 7.1% | 7.1% | 522 | 11.6% | 7.6% | -228 | -4.5pp |
| Total | 4,124 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,514 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -390 | 0.0pp |