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 Marvel Loch, accounting for 60.8% (73 people). This share was lower than Yilgarn (S) (74.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English only, which decreased by 6,872 people and 23.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Proficiency in English

Marvel Loch - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises proficiency in english for Marvel Loch in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Yilgarn (S) and change since 2016.

Proficiency in English snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Marvel Loch, with comparison markers for Yilgarn (S).

Marvel Loch
Yilgarn (S)

Total Speaks English Only

2021 count

73

% of total

60.8%

Change from 2016

-23.9pp

Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well

2021 count

6

% of total

5.0%

Change from 2016

-4.0pp

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

2021 count

3

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Total Not Stated

2021 count

42

% of total

35.0%

Change from 2016

+29.9pp

Data table

Proficiency in English for Marvel Loch. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Yilgarn (S).

Proficiency in English for Marvel Loch. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Yilgarn (S).
Proficiency in English for Marvel Loch. Proficiency in English. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Yilgarn (S).
Category20212016Change
Count%Yilgarn (S)%Count%Yilgarn (S)%Countpp
Total Speaks English Only7360.8%74.9%6,94584.7%81.6%-6,872-23.9pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Very Well Or Well65.0%7.1%7419.0%4.5%-735-4.0pp
Total Speaks Other Language And Speaks English Not Well Or Not At All32.5%0.8%901.1%0.0%-87+1.4pp
Total Not Stated4235.0%17.3%4215.1%13.9%-379+29.9pp
Total120100.0%100.0%8,195100.0%100.0%-8,0750.0pp