idc-logo
svg rectangle color
AustraliaCommunity profile

Regional Australia

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in Regional Australia, 64.8% of females travelled to work in a private car, 1.1% took public transport and 3.7% rode a bike or walked. 14.6% worked at home.

Regional 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.

Q:

Derived from the Census question:

'How did the person get to work on Tuesday, 10 August 2021?'

Method of travel to work
Regional Australia - Employed females (Usual residence)20212016Change
Main method of travelNumber%Queensland %Number%Queensland %2016 to 2021
Train4,4090.21.910,7850.73.4-6,376
Bus13,7880.82.216,1881.03.8-2,400
Tram1,1200.10.11,1450.10.1-25
Ferry3280.00.13280.00.10
Taxi/ride-share3,1840.20.32,3720.10.2+812
Car - as driver1,095,02059.756.51,043,97665.762.0+51,044
Car - as passenger93,2605.15.290,5475.76.1+2,713
Truck9720.10.01,0780.10.1-106
Motorbike2,0200.10.12,4950.20.2-475
Bicycle6,1320.30.46,6760.40.5-544
Walked only61,6343.42.764,3164.03.4-2,682
Other15,6610.90.914,7450.91.0+916
Worked at home267,64214.615.7106,8486.76.3+160,794
Did not go to work257,91814.113.4208,56513.111.9+49,353
Not stated11,5310.60.518,1521.10.8-6,621
Total employed persons aged 15+1,834,619100.0100.01,588,216100.0100.0+246,403
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 19,645 females who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Regional Australia, compared with 1,191,272 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 Regional Australia in 2021, compared to Queensland, shows that 1.1% used public transport, while 64.8% used a private vehicle, compared with 4.2% and 61.8% respectively in Queensland.

The major differences in females between the method of travel to work of Regional Australia and Queensland were:

  • A larger percentage of females who travelled by car (as driver) (59.7% compared to 56.5%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who travelled by train (0.2% compared to 1.9%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who travelled by bus (0.8% compared to 2.2%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who worked at home (14.6% compared to 15.7%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed females in Regional Australia increased by 246,403 between 2016 and 2021.

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

  • Worked at home (+160,794 females)
  • Car - as driver (+51,044 females)
  • Did not go to work (+49,353 females)
  • Not stated (-6,621 females)

DISCLAIMER: While all due care has been taken to ensure that the content of this website is accurate and current, there may be errors or omissions in it and no legal responsibility is accepted for the information and opinions in this website.

Please view our Privacy Policy, Terms of use and Legal notices.

ABS Data and the copyright in the ABS Data remains the property of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The copyright in the way .id has modified, transformed or reconfigured the ABS Data as published on this website remains the property of .id. ABS Data can be accessed from the Australian Bureau of Statistics at www.abs.gov.au. ABS data can be used under license - terms published on ABS website. intermediary.management@abs.gov.au if you have any queries or wish to distribute any ABS data.