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 Victoria Daly (R), accounting for 50.9% (1,433 people). This share was higher than Regional NT (40.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in another language and English well or very well, which increased by 294 people and 10.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Victoria Daly (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Victoria Daly (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NT and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Victoria Daly (R), with comparison markers for Regional NT.

Victoria Daly (R)
Regional NT

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

945

% of total

33.6%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

1,433

% of total

50.9%

Change from 2016

+10.4pp

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

2021 count

109

% of total

3.9%

Change from 2016

-3.6pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

333

% of total

11.8%

Change from 2016

-6.2pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Victoria Daly (R). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.

Proficiency in English for Victoria Daly (R). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
Proficiency in English for Victoria Daly (R). Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NT.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NT%Count%Regional NT%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only94533.6%43.0%95534.0%42.8%-10-0.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well1,43350.9%40.7%1,13940.5%37.7%+294+10.4pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All1093.9%6.2%2117.5%5.8%-102-3.6pp
Total Not Stated33311.8%10.1%50518.0%13.7%-172-6.2pp
Total2,815100.0%100.0%2,810100.0%100.0%+50.0pp