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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)20212011Change
Main method of travelNumber%Greater Melbourne %Number%Greater Melbourne %2011 to 2021
Train22,1292.63.735,6945.410.2-13,565
Bus23,5262.71.038,0435.81.8-14,517
Tram1,0450.11.0510.02.6+994
Ferry7430.10.01,1910.20.0-448
Taxi/ride-share2,4490.30.21,1070.20.2+1,342
Car - as driver460,86453.439.7377,77557.155.9+83,089
Car - as passenger41,5504.83.943,6326.65.3-2,082
Truck3210.00.03480.10.0-27
Motorbike1,2410.10.11,3550.20.1-114
Bicycle3,2100.40.52,7660.40.8+444
Walked only19,5372.32.221,3483.23.2-1,811
Other7,2610.80.85,4130.80.8+1,848
Worked at home157,71018.332.037,1665.64.5+120,544
Did not go to work118,30113.714.686,97413.113.1+31,327
Not stated3,4700.40.48,5951.31.5-5,125
Total employed persons aged 15+863,357100.0100.0661,458100.0100.0+201,899
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2011 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 Greater Melbourne, shows that 5.5% used public transport, while 58.2% 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 East Queensland and Greater Melbourne were:

  • A larger percentage of females who travelled by car (as driver) (53.4% compared to 39.7%)
  • A larger percentage of females who travelled by bus (2.7% compared to 1.0%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who worked at home (18.3% compared to 32.0%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who travelled by train (2.6% compared to 3.7%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed females in South East Queensland increased by 201,899 between 2011 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by female resident population in South East Queensland between 2011 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Worked at home (+120,544 females)
  • Car - as driver (+83,089 females)
  • Did not go to work (+31,327 females)
  • Bus (-14,517 females)

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