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AustraliaCommunity profile

South Australia

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in South Australia, 68.2% of people travelled to work in a private car, 5.1% took public transport and 3.3% rode a bike or walked. 9.6% worked at home.

South 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
South Australia - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
Main method of travelNumber%Australia %Number%Australia %2016 to 2021
Train8,6841.02.514,0001.97.2-5,316
Bus31,7683.81.834,9734.73.5-3,205
Tram2,3030.30.22,7600.40.5-457
Ferry1320.00.01470.00.1-15
Taxi/ride-share2,1980.30.21,3750.20.2+823
Car - as driver536,51563.952.7492,36066.061.5+44,155
Car - as passenger36,2254.33.934,0064.64.6+2,219
Truck4,0760.50.64,5090.60.8-433
Motorbike3,3790.40.43,4420.50.6-63
Bicycle7,3180.90.77,4531.01.0-135
Walked only20,5752.52.520,6982.83.5-123
Other11,0621.31.211,0021.51.4+60
Worked at home80,5139.621.032,6784.44.7+47,835
Did not go to work90,49610.811.880,07810.79.4+10,418
Not stated4,1680.50.56,6390.91.0-2,471
Total employed persons aged 15+839,412100.0100.0746,120100.0100.0+93,292
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 42,887 people who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in South Australia, compared with 580,195 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 South Australia in 2021, compared to Australia, shows that 5.1% used public transport, while 68.2% used a private vehicle, compared with 4.5% and 56.6% respectively in Australia.

The major differences in persons between the method of travel to work of South Australia and Australia were:

  • A larger percentage of persons who travelled by car (as driver) (63.9% compared to 52.7%)
  • A larger percentage of persons who travelled by bus (3.8% compared to 1.8%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who worked at home (9.6% compared to 21.0%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who travelled by train (1.0% compared to 2.5%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in South Australia increased by 93,292 between 2016 and 2021.

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

  • Worked at home (+47,835 persons)
  • Car - as driver (+44,155 persons)
  • Did not go to work (+10,418 persons)
  • Train (-5,316 persons)

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