Employment & Commuting
Journey to work
Journey to work shows where employed residents of Cairns (R) travel for work. It helps explain how strongly the area functions as a residential base versus a self-contained employment centre.
Related topics
About this topic
Journey to work shows where employed residents of Cairns (R) travel for work. It helps explain how strongly the area functions as a residential base versus a self-contained employment centre.
These flow patterns can inform transport advocacy, local jobs policy, and investment priorities by showing which external labour markets matter most to residents.
Key insight
11.2% of employed residents living in Cairns (R) worked outside Cairns (R) in 2021. No Fixed Address (Qld) was the largest external destination.
Showing
88.8%
Work locally
70,729 residents
11.2%
Commute out
8,885 residents
Chart view
Where Cairns (R) residents work
Flow shares show where employed residents work. Total employed residents: 79,614.
Employment self-sufficiency
Share of employed residents who work within the municipality.
Cairns
88.8%
70,729
No Fixed Address (Qld)
4.2%
3,307
Mareeba
0.9%
681
Cassowary Coast
0.7%
554
Douglas
0.6%
438
Brisbane
0.5%
409
East Arnhem
0.4%
332
Tablelands
0.3%
253
Yarrabah
0.2%
190
Other LGAs
3.4%
2,721
Data table
Where Cairns (R) residents work table
Download the ranked local and external flow counts behind the chart.
| Area | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 70,729 | 88.8% |
| No Fixed Address (Qld) | 3,307 | 4.2% |
| Mareeba | 681 | 0.9% |
| Cassowary Coast | 554 | 0.7% |
| Douglas | 438 | 0.6% |
| Brisbane | 409 | 0.5% |
| East Arnhem | 332 | 0.4% |
| Tablelands | 253 | 0.3% |
| Yarrabah | 190 | 0.2% |
| Other LGAs | 2,721 | 3.4% |