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Queensland

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in Queensland, 66.2% of males travelled to work in a private car, 3.8% took public transport and 3.6% rode a bike or walked. 12.5% worked at home.

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
Queensland - Employed males (Usual residence)20212016Change
Main method of travelNumber%Victoria %Number%Victoria %2016 to 2021
Train21,4331.72.833,5033.09.3-12,070
Bus23,5201.90.636,9083.31.2-13,388
Tram7000.10.68310.11.6-131
Ferry1,1660.10.01,5740.10.0-408
Taxi/ride-share3,0570.20.21,9650.20.2+1,092
Car - as driver775,20562.455.5732,10466.065.2+43,101
Car - as passenger47,3063.82.949,7454.53.3-2,439
Truck18,1691.51.019,4021.71.1-1,233
Motorbike14,2401.10.417,6511.60.6-3,411
Bicycle12,6251.01.016,4601.51.7-3,835
Walked only31,4762.52.135,9703.23.1-4,494
Other21,3941.71.221,8482.01.5-454
Worked at home155,53812.523.147,4784.33.9+108,060
Did not go to work109,2058.88.084,2177.66.4+24,988
Not stated6,6560.50.510,3140.91.0-3,658
Total employed persons aged 15+1,241,690100.0100.01,109,970100.0100.0+131,720
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

In 2021, there were 46,819 males who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Queensland, compared with 854,920 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 Queensland in 2021, compared to Victoria, shows that 3.8% used public transport, while 66.2% used a private vehicle, compared with 4.0% and 58.5% respectively in Victoria.

The major differences in males between the method of travel to work of Queensland and Victoria were:

  • A larger percentage of males who travelled by car (as driver) (62.4% compared to 55.5%)
  • A larger percentage of males who travelled by bus (1.9% compared to 0.6%)
  • A smaller percentage of males who worked at home (12.5% compared to 23.1%)
  • A smaller percentage of males who travelled by train (1.7% compared to 2.8%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in Queensland increased by 131,720 between 2016 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by male resident population in Queensland between 2016 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Worked at home (+108,060 males)
  • Car - as driver (+43,101 males)
  • Did not go to work (+24,988 males)
  • Bus (-13,388 males)

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