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AustraliaCommunity profile

Greater Perth

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in Greater Perth, 67.4% of males travelled to work in a private car, 8.5% took public transport and 2.5% rode a bike or walked. 6.4% worked at home.

Greater Perth'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
Greater Perth - Employed males (Usual residence)20212011Change
Main method of travelNumber%Australia %Number%Australia %2011 to 2021
Train26,2984.82.428,3536.16.1-2,055
Bus20,4843.71.618,3244.03.1+2,160
Tram310.00.2430.00.4-12
Ferry1450.00.01630.00.1-18
Taxi/ride-share2,0260.40.21,1930.30.3+833
Car - as driver349,90863.656.7293,64363.463.0+56,265
Car - as passenger20,5393.73.222,4844.94.6-1,945
Truck5,4861.01.27,2741.61.9-1,788
Motorbike2,5490.50.74,4051.01.1-1,856
Bicycle5,3241.00.97,4081.61.5-2,084
Walked only8,6481.62.410,2862.23.6-1,638
Other16,7903.11.611,6632.51.7+5,127
Worked at home35,2376.418.911,5982.53.7+23,639
Did not go to work53,8879.89.339,9138.67.5+13,974
Not stated2,4850.50.56,2591.41.5-3,774
Total employed persons aged 15+549,837100.0100.0463,009100.0100.0+86,828
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 46,958 males who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Greater Perth, compared with 378,482 who drove in private vehicles (car – as driver, car – as passenger, motorbike, or truck).

Analysis of the method of travel to work of the male residents in Greater Perth in 2021, compared to Australia, shows that 8.5% used public transport, while 67.4% used a private vehicle, compared with 4.3% and 59.9% respectively in Australia.

The major differences in males between the method of travel to work of Greater Perth and Australia were:

  • A larger percentage of males who travelled by car (as driver) (63.6% compared to 56.7%)
  • A larger percentage of males who travelled by train (4.8% compared to 2.4%)
  • A larger percentage of males who travelled by bus (3.7% compared to 1.6%)
  • A smaller percentage of males who worked at home (6.4% compared to 18.9%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in Greater Perth increased by 86,828 between 2011 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by male resident population in Greater Perth between 2011 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Car - as driver (+56,265 males)
  • Worked at home (+23,639 males)
  • Did not go to work (+13,974 males)
  • Other (+5,127 males)

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