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AustraliaCommunity profile

Greater Brisbane

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in Greater Brisbane, 55.9% of females travelled to work in a private car, 6.9% took public transport and 2.7% rode a bike or walked. 19.2% worked at home.

Greater Brisbane'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
Greater Brisbane - Employed females (Usual residence)20212006Change
Main method of travelNumber%Greater Perth %Number%Greater Perth %2006 to 2021
Train20,2543.35.127,4726.54.6-7,218
Bus20,8903.43.226,1866.24.8-5,296
Tram400.00.0600.00.0-20
Ferry7190.10.01,1750.30.0-456
Taxi/ride-share2,0120.30.39010.20.1+1,111
Car - as driver310,83951.060.3225,58953.859.2+85,250
Car - as passenger30,0854.95.130,3877.26.4-302
Truck2310.00.03290.10.1-98
Motorbike9360.20.11,1120.30.1-176
Bicycle2,1670.40.31,2840.30.4+883
Walked only14,0122.31.613,8153.32.3+197
Other5,0380.81.03,0000.70.6+2,038
Worked at home116,76919.28.921,3035.14.6+95,465
Did not go to work83,44013.713.760,28214.415.1+23,157
Not stated2,2790.40.36,6361.61.7-4,357
Total employed persons aged 15+609,711100.0100.0419,533100.0100.0+190,177
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2006 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

In 2021, there were 41,903 females who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Greater Brisbane, compared with 342,091 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 Greater Brisbane in 2021, compared to Greater Perth, shows that 6.9% used public transport, while 55.9% used a private vehicle, compared with 8.3% and 65.4% respectively in Greater Perth.

The major differences in females between the method of travel to work of Greater Brisbane and Greater Perth were:

  • A larger percentage of females who worked at home (19.2% compared to 8.9%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who travelled by car (as driver) (51.0% compared to 60.3%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who travelled by train (3.3% compared to 5.1%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed females in Greater Brisbane increased by 190,178 between 2006 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by female resident population in Greater Brisbane between 2006 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Worked at home (+95,465 females)
  • Car - as driver (+85,250 females)
  • Did not go to work (+23,157 females)
  • Train (-7,218 females)

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