Access to information is a vital stepping stone in the process of managing everyday affairs. With the enormous expansion of information which can now be received through technological advancements, there is a growing concern that certain sectors of society will be left behind. Of particular concern are those who do not speak the local language, and their families. How do they fare in terms of socio economic status and personal well being. The study reported in this article seeks to assess implications of English language skills for those with non English speaking background. Specifically attention is directed to socio economic patterns and to health and sense of well being. The analysis is based on data from the Australian Living Standards Study undertaken by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.