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AustraliaCommunity profile

South East Queensland

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in South East Queensland, 58.2% of females travelled to work in a private car, 5.5% took public transport and 2.6% rode a bike or walked. 18.3% worked at home.

South East Queensland's commuting statistics reveal the main modes of transport by which residents get to work. There are a number of reasons why people use different modes of transport to get to work including the availability of affordable and effective public transport options, the number of motor vehicles available within a household, and the distance travelled to work.

Commuting data is very useful in transport planning as it informs decision-makers about the availability, effectiveness and utilisation of local transport options, particularly when analysed with Residents Place of Work data and Car Ownership.

WARNING: Method of travel to work relates to Census day, which for the 2021 Census occurred during COVID-19 lockdowns for large parts of Australia. In lockdown, many occupations were required to work from home if possible, and some industries were closed, so people did not go to work. For this reason, these categories may have increased, with corresponding declines in other methods of travel. Use the data with caution when comparing over time. For more details, please refer to the data notes.

Q:

Derived from the Census question:

'How did the person get to work on Tuesday, 10 August 2021?'

Method of travel to work
South East Queensland - Employed females (Usual residence)20212006Change
Main method of travelNumber%Regional VIC %Number%Regional VIC %2006 to 2021
Train22,1292.60.328,8254.80.7-6,696
Bus23,5262.70.629,5665.00.7-6,040
Tram1,0450.10.0700.00.0+975
Ferry7430.10.01,1920.20.0-449
Taxi/ride-share2,4490.30.11,2920.20.1+1,157
Car - as driver460,86453.457.5334,69756.259.8+126,167
Car - as passenger41,5504.84.842,9487.25.7-1,398
Truck3210.00.05680.10.1-247
Motorbike1,2410.10.11,4080.20.1-167
Bicycle3,2100.40.32,0490.30.4+1,161
Walked only19,5372.33.319,8433.35.4-306
Other7,2610.80.74,1760.70.7+3,085
Worked at home157,71018.317.233,6215.67.8+124,089
Did not go to work118,30113.714.485,27914.316.4+33,022
Not stated3,4700.40.79,5971.62.0-6,127
Total employed persons aged 15+863,357100.0100.0595,131100.0100.0+268,226
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2006 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

In 2021, there were 47,443 females who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in South East Queensland, compared with 503,976 who drove in private vehicles (car – as driver, car – as passenger, motorbike, or truck).

Analysis of the method of travel to work of the female residents in South East Queensland in 2021, compared to Regional VIC, shows that 5.5% used public transport, while 58.2% used a private vehicle, compared with 0.9% and 62.3% respectively in Regional VIC.

The major differences in females between the method of travel to work of South East Queensland and Regional VIC were:

  • A larger percentage of females who travelled by train (2.6% compared to 0.3%)
  • A larger percentage of females who travelled by bus (2.7% compared to 0.6%)
  • A larger percentage of females who worked at home (18.3% compared to 17.2%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who travelled by car (as driver) (53.4% compared to 57.5%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed females in South East Queensland increased by 268,226 between 2006 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by female resident population in South East Queensland between 2006 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Car - as driver (+126,167 females)
  • Worked at home (+124,089 females)
  • Did not go to work (+33,022 females)
  • Train (-6,696 females)

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