Employment & Commuting
Journey to work
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.
Related topics
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% |