Proficiency in English explained Place Forecast Feature
Abbreviated as ENGLP; referenced by 2 other explainers
Place Forecast Feature
Proficiency in English shows how well people born overseas say they speak English. It uses the groups the Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes: speaks English only, speaks English very well or well, speaks English not well or not at all, proficiency not stated, and language and proficiency not stated.
These figures are Place Forecast estimates based on Census data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
People who use another language at home rate their own spoken English on the Census form. People who use only English at home are not asked. The rating is not tested or marked. It does not cover reading, writing or other languages.
This page shows spoken English at one point in time. It can change as people settle, work, and study. Read it as a guide to where translated information and interpreter services may help. It is not a judgement about a person or a community.
The two Not stated groups differ. Proficiency not stated means another language was given, but no English rating. Language and proficiency not stated means neither was given.
The base count here is people born overseas. It is not everyone in the area. People born in Australia are not on this page. To compare it with the whole area, see the Birthplace and Language used at home markers.
The total counts people at their usual place of residence. It covers people in non-private homes such as hospitals, aged-care homes, hostels, and student housing. It does not count overseas visitors.
Reading this data fairly
These figures show how people answered Census questions. Here are the equity caveats to keep in mind. They keep the numbers fair:
- Proficiency in English is one of the Census topics used in CALD analysis. On its own it is not a measure of need.
See the marker methodology for how these figures are calculated and their limitations.