South Australia
Method of travel to work
On Census day 2021 in South Australia, 65.2% of females travelled to work in a private car, 5.8% took public transport and 2.9% rode a bike or walked. 10.5% worked at home.
South Australia'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.
Derived from the Census question:
'How did the person get to work on Tuesday, 10 August 2021?'
Employed persons aged 15 years and over
| Method of travel to work | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Australia - Employed females (Usual residence) | 2021 | 2011 | Change | |||||
| Main method of travel | Number | % | Greater Melbourne % | Number | % | Greater Melbourne % | 2011 to 2021 | |
| Train | 4,502 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 6,349 | 1.8 | 10.2 | -1,847 | 16001 |
| Bus | 17,921 | 4.4 | 1.0 | 19,846 | 5.7 | 1.8 | -1,925 | 16003 |
| Tram | 1,328 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1,232 | 0.4 | 2.6 | +96 | 16005 |
| Ferry | 37 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 24 | 0.0 | 0.0 | +13 | 16006 |
| Taxi/ride-share | 1,120 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 540 | 0.2 | 0.2 | +580 | 16007 |
| Car - as driver | 244,647 | 60.0 | 39.7 | 208,965 | 60.0 | 55.9 | +35,682 | 16009 |
| Car - as passenger | 21,377 | 5.2 | 3.9 | 21,788 | 6.3 | 5.3 | -411 | 16011 |
| Truck | 123 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 175 | 0.1 | 0.0 | -52 | 16013 |
| Motorbike | 352 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 411 | 0.1 | 0.1 | -59 | 16015 |
| Bicycle | 1,885 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1,489 | 0.4 | 0.8 | +396 | 16017 |
| Walked only | 10,032 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 11,151 | 3.2 | 3.2 | -1,119 | 16019 |
| Other | 3,735 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 3,149 | 0.9 | 0.8 | +586 | 16021 |
| Worked at home | 42,637 | 10.5 | 32.0 | 16,191 | 4.7 | 4.5 | +26,446 | 16023 |
| Did not go to work | 56,220 | 13.8 | 14.6 | 51,764 | 14.9 | 13.1 | +4,456 | 16025 |
| Not stated | 1,900 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 4,956 | 1.4 | 1.5 | -3,056 | 16027 |
| Total employed persons aged 15+ | 407,816 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 348,030 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +59,786 | |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing (opens a new window) 2011 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (opens a new window)(informed decisions).
(Usual residence data)
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Dominant groups
In 2021, there were 23,788 females who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in South Australia, compared with 266,499 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 Australia in 2021, compared to Greater Melbourne, shows that 5.8% used public transport, while 65.2% used a private vehicle, compared with 5.7% and 43.6% respectively in Greater Melbourne.
The major differences in females between the method of travel to work of South Australia and Greater Melbourne were:
- A larger percentage of females who travelled by car (as driver) (60.0% compared to 39.7%)
- A larger percentage of females who travelled by bus (4.4% compared to 1.0%)
- A smaller percentage of females who worked at home (10.5% compared to 32.0%)
- A smaller percentage of females who travelled by train (1.1% compared to 3.7%)
Emerging groups
The number of employed females in South Australia increased by 59,786 between 2011 and 2021.
The largest changes in the method of travel to work by female resident population in South Australia between 2011 and 2021 were for those nominated:
- Car - as driver (+35,682 females)
- Worked at home (+26,446 females)
- Did not go to work (+4,456 females)
- Not stated (-3,056 females)