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AustraliaCommunity profile

Tasmania

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in Tasmania, 69.3% of people travelled to work in a private car, 3.1% took public transport and 4.9% rode a bike or walked. 8.0% worked at home.

Tasmania'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
Tasmania - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
Main method of travelNumber%Greater Hobart %Number%Greater Hobart %2016 to 2021
Train1220.00.11440.10.1-22
Bus7,6693.05.26,1992.95.1+1,470
Tram130.00.0400.00.0-27
Ferry1080.00.1350.00.0+73
Taxi/ride-share7510.30.45700.30.3+181
Car - as driver163,18664.160.0141,39965.362.4+21,787
Car - as passenger13,3935.35.712,5405.86.4+853
Truck1,7420.70.61,6910.80.6+51
Motorbike1,1390.40.51,2930.60.7-154
Bicycle1,7760.71.11,6600.81.1+116
Walked only10,7854.24.710,4404.85.5+345
Other2,9731.21.22,9151.31.3+58
Worked at home20,3308.08.110,1354.74.0+10,195
Did not go to work29,18111.511.825,25911.711.5+3,922
Not stated1,5630.60.52,2551.00.9-692
Total employed persons aged 15+254,731100.0100.0216,575100.0100.0+38,156
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 7,912 people who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Tasmania, compared with 179,460 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 Tasmania in 2021, compared to Greater Hobart, shows that 3.1% used public transport, while 69.3% used a private vehicle, compared with 5.3% and 65.7% respectively in Greater Hobart.

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

  • A larger percentage of persons who travelled by car (as driver) (64.1% compared to 60.0%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who travelled by bus (3.0% compared to 5.2%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in Tasmania increased by 38,156 between 2016 and 2021.

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

  • Car - as driver (+21,787 persons)
  • Worked at home (+10,195 persons)
  • Did not go to work (+3,922 persons)
  • Bus (+1,470 persons)

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