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AustraliaCommunity profile

Regional Australia

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in Regional Australia, 64.8% of females travelled to work in a private car, 1.1% took public transport and 3.7% rode a bike or walked. 14.6% worked at home.

Regional 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
Regional Australia - Employed females (Usual residence)20212011Change
Main method of travelNumber%Greater Sydney %Number%Greater Sydney %2011 to 2021
Train4,4090.24.29,5530.614.3-5,144
Bus13,7880.81.617,7641.26.8-3,976
Tram1,1200.10.01060.00.1+1,014
Ferry3280.00.01990.00.3+129
Taxi/ride-share3,1840.20.12,8000.20.2+384
Car - as driver1,095,02059.728.6947,79262.849.2+147,228
Car - as passenger93,2605.13.498,8806.55.8-5,620
Truck9720.10.01,5070.10.0-535
Motorbike2,0200.10.12,8570.20.2-837
Bicycle6,1320.30.26,4880.40.3-356
Walked only61,6343.42.572,7224.84.5-11,088
Other15,6610.90.714,1730.90.7+1,488
Worked at home267,64214.642.5100,6656.74.8+166,977
Did not go to work257,91814.115.6210,51513.911.6+47,403
Not stated11,5310.60.424,1861.61.4-12,655
Total employed persons aged 15+1,834,619100.0100.01,510,207100.0100.0+324,412
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2011 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

In 2021, there were 19,645 females who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Regional Australia, compared with 1,191,272 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 Regional Australia in 2021, compared to Greater Sydney, shows that 1.1% used public transport, while 64.8% used a private vehicle, compared with 5.9% and 32.0% respectively in Greater Sydney.

The major differences in females between the method of travel to work of Regional Australia and Greater Sydney were:

  • A larger percentage of females who travelled by car (as driver) (59.7% compared to 28.6%)
  • A larger percentage of females who travelled by car (as a passenger) (5.1% compared to 3.4%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who worked at home (14.6% compared to 42.5%)
  • A smaller percentage of females who travelled by train (0.2% compared to 4.2%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed females in Regional Australia increased by 324,412 between 2011 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by female resident population in Regional Australia between 2011 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Worked at home (+166,977 females)
  • Car - as driver (+147,228 females)
  • Did not go to work (+47,403 females)
  • Not stated (-12,655 females)

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