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Western Sydney (LGA)Community profile

Western Sydney (LGA)

Method of travel to work

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On Census day 2021 in Western Sydney (LGA), 48.2% of males travelled to work in a private car, 4.6% took public transport and 1.4% rode a bike or walked. 28.2% worked at home.

Western Sydney (LGA)'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
Western Sydney (LGA) - Employed males (Usual residence)20212016Change
Main method of travelNumber%Greater Sydney %Number%Greater Sydney %2016 to 2021
Train22,5523.94.076,25613.815.8-53,704
Bus3,9990.71.215,2442.85.3-11,245
Tram450.00.11150.00.1-70
Ferry670.00.11340.00.4-67
Taxi/ride-share7470.10.11,2520.20.3-505
Car - as driver266,20345.939.5359,04164.856.5-92,838
Car - as passenger13,3752.31.920,3833.73.0-7,008
Truck8,6071.51.112,3672.21.6-3,760
Motorbike2,6400.50.73,6020.71.1-962
Bicycle1,4140.20.52,0580.41.1-644
Walked only6,5151.12.18,7301.63.7-2,215
Other6,0041.01.06,9771.31.4-973
Worked at home163,70028.235.412,7522.33.4+150,948
Did not go to work80,96614.011.828,8925.25.5+52,074
Not stated3,1750.50.56,1521.11.0-2,977
Total employed persons aged 15+580,009100.0100.0553,955100.0100.0+26,054
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 26,663 males who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Western Sydney (LGA), compared with 290,825 who drove in private vehicles (car – as driver, car – as passenger, motorbike, or truck).

Analysis of the method of travel to work of the male residents in Western Sydney (LGA) in 2021, compared to Greater Sydney, shows that 4.6% used public transport, while 48.2% used a private vehicle, compared with 5.3% and 41.4% respectively in Greater Sydney.

The major differences in males between the method of travel to work of Western Sydney (LGA) and Greater Sydney were:

  • A larger percentage of males who travelled by car (as driver) (45.9% compared to 39.5%)
  • A larger percentage of males who did not go to work (14.0% compared to 11.8%)
  • A smaller percentage of males who worked at home (28.2% compared to 35.4%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in Western Sydney (LGA) increased by 26,054 between 2016 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by male resident population in Western Sydney (LGA) between 2016 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Worked at home (+150,948 males)
  • Car - as driver (-92,838 males)
  • Train (-53,704 males)
  • Did not go to work (+52,074 males)

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