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AustraliaCommunity profile

Queensland

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in Queensland, 64.0% of people travelled to work in a private car, 4.0% took public transport and 3.3% rode a bike or walked. 14.1% 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 persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
Main method of travelNumber%Regional NT %Number%Regional NT %2016 to 2021
Train43,6971.80.068,5523.20.0-24,855
Bus50,0122.02.075,9863.62.5-25,974
Tram1,7520.10.01,8430.1---91
Ferry2,0620.10.02,9380.10.1-876
Taxi/ride-share6,4290.30.23,5590.20.3+2,870
Car - as driver1,455,10459.553.71,368,96464.150.6+86,140
Car - as passenger110,0044.58.4112,5085.38.2-2,504
Truck18,6930.80.519,9500.90.6-1,257
Motorbike15,9510.70.819,6340.91.1-3,683
Bicycle17,1210.72.721,6801.03.4-4,559
Walked only63,5802.616.470,4713.318.6-6,891
Other32,2971.32.632,1891.52.6+108
Worked at home344,69614.13.9112,4255.32.9+232,271
Did not go to work270,38711.17.0206,7939.77.0+63,594
Not stated12,3010.51.718,9620.92.1-6,661
Total employed persons aged 15+2,444,086100.0100.02,136,454100.0100.0+307,632
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 97,523 people who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Queensland, compared with 1,599,752 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 Queensland in 2021, compared to Regional NT, shows that 4.0% used public transport, while 64.0% used a private vehicle, compared with 2.1% and 62.1% respectively in Regional NT.

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

  • A larger percentage of persons who worked at home (14.1% compared to 3.9%)
  • A larger percentage of persons who travelled by car (as driver) (59.5% compared to 53.7%)
  • A larger percentage of persons who did not go to work (11.1% compared to 7.0%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who walked only (2.6% compared to 16.4%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in Queensland increased by 307,632 between 2016 and 2021.

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

  • Worked at home (+232,271 persons)
  • Car - as driver (+86,140 persons)
  • Did not go to work (+63,594 persons)
  • Bus (-25,974 persons)

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