CensusAtlas

Indicator

Commuting by public transport

Share of employed people who got to work by train, bus, ferry or tram/light rail as their only method of travel on census day.

Australia over time

3.1% in 2021 ▼ -57.7%

Explore on the map

See how pt commute varies across Australia.

By block (sa1) By statistical area 2 (sa2) By postcode By council (lga) By sub-region (sa3) By region (sa4) By capital city By state / territory By australia By suburb / locality By urban area By urban centre By federal electorate By state electorate By section of state By section of state range By remoteness area

Highest areas

SA2 areas with the highest pt commute (2021 Census).

  1. East Pilbara 26.0%
  2. East Perth 23.5%
  3. Ashburton (WA) 22.9%
  4. Melbourne CBD - West 21.8%
  5. Melbourne CBD - North 21.6%
  6. Auburn - North 20.6%

Related indicators

Homes with no motor vehicle View → People working from home View → Public transport stops View → PT stops per 1,000 people View → Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people View → Public transport routes View → Walk to nearest stop (min) View → Drive time to the city (min) View → People reachable in 30 min by transit View → People reachable in 45 min by transit View → Transit time to the city (min) View →

Frequently asked questions

What is Commuting by public transport in Australia?

At the 2021 Census, Commuting by public transport across Australia was 3.1%. It is expressed as a percentage of the relevant group.

How is Commuting by public transport measured?

Share of employed people who got to work by train, bus, ferry or tram/light rail as their only method of travel on census day. It is calculated as a percentage of the relevant population or dwellings, so it can be compared fairly between large and small areas.

How does Commuting by public transport vary across Australia?

Across the 2,361 SA2 areas with data, Commuting by public transport ranges from 0.0% to 26.0%, with a typical (median) area at 1.9%. Most areas cluster toward the lower end, with a smaller number of much higher areas stretching the range.

Can Commuting by public transport be compared across censuses?

Yes — Commuting by public transport is measured consistently enough to compare across the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Censuses, so the trend over time is meaningful. Nationally it has fallen from 7.4% in 2011 to 3.1% in 2021.

Where can I see Commuting by public transport for my area?

Use the interactive map to compare Commuting by public transport down to block (sa1) and statistical area 2 (sa2) level, or search any suburb, postcode or council area to see its value in context against state and national figures.

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Commuting by public transport [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/indicator/share-pt-commute