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AustraliaCommunity profile

Greater Sydney

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in Greater Sydney, 36.9% of people travelled to work in a private car, 5.6% took public transport and 2.7% rode a bike or walked. 38.9% worked at home.

Greater Sydney'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 Sydney - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212006Change
Main method of travelNumber%Queensland %Number%Queensland %2006 to 2021
Train99,8934.11.8232,37012.23.1-132,477
Bus33,7701.42.0101,8405.43.3-68,070
Tram1,2430.10.19650.10.0+278
Ferry9540.00.15,7840.30.2-4,830
Taxi/ride-share3,3670.10.36,4760.30.2-3,109
Car - as driver832,27734.259.51,019,12353.559.8-186,847
Car - as passenger63,9542.64.5100,1905.36.7-36,236
Truck14,2030.60.825,6751.31.6-11,473
Motorbike9,7570.40.79,0220.51.1+734
Bicycle8,9900.40.710,9330.61.1-1,943
Walked only56,2062.32.679,5294.24.0-23,324
Other20,2010.81.316,5730.91.3+3,628
Worked at home944,50138.914.174,4663.95.1+870,035
Did not go to work331,20013.611.1184,8419.710.8+146,358
Not stated10,2020.40.535,3741.91.7-25,172
Total employed persons aged 15+2,430,718100.0100.01,903,166100.0100.0+527,552
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 135,860 people who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Greater Sydney, compared with 920,191 who drove in private vehicles (car – as driver, car – as passenger, motorbike, or truck).

Analysis of the method of travel to work of the residents in Greater Sydney in 2021, compared to Queensland, shows that 5.6% used public transport, while 36.9% used a private vehicle, compared with 4.0% and 64.0% respectively in Queensland.

The major differences in persons between the method of travel to work of Greater Sydney and Queensland were:

  • A larger percentage of persons who worked at home (38.9% compared to 14.1%)
  • A larger percentage of persons who did not go to work (13.6% compared to 11.1%)
  • A larger percentage of persons who travelled by train (4.1% compared to 1.8%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who travelled by car (as driver) (34.2% compared to 59.5%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in Greater Sydney increased by 527,552 between 2006 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by resident population in Greater Sydney between 2006 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Worked at home (+870,035 persons)
  • Car - as driver (-186,847 persons)
  • Did not go to work (+146,358 persons)
  • Train (-132,477 persons)

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