Employment

Method of travel to work

About this topic

Method of travel to work shows how employed residents usually got to work on Census day, including private vehicle, public transport, active travel, and working from home. It provides a snapshot of commuting behaviour rather than the full transport system.

This topic supports transport and infrastructure planning and helps show how residents access employment. The 2021 results need caution because many parts of Australia were affected by COVID-19 lockdowns, which increased working from home and reduced some other travel modes.

Interpretation notes

  • Method of travel to work captures the journey to work on Census day, not a person's usual weekly travel pattern.
  • It applies only to employed people and is most useful with place of work or car ownership when considering transport access.
  • The 2021 Census occurred during COVID-19 restrictions in many places, so work-from-home and some travel modes need caution in trend comparisons.

Key insight

In 2021, working from home was the most common travel method among employed residents in North Melbourne, accounting for 39.1% (3,247 people). This share was higher than Melbourne (C) (38.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in working from home, which increased by 3,247 people and 39.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Method of travel to work

North Melbourne - Employed persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises method of travel to work for North Melbourne in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.

Method of travel to work snapshot

2021 distribution by category for North Melbourne, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).

North Melbourne
Melbourne (C)

Train

2021 count

336

% of total

4.0%

Change from 2016

+4.0pp

Bus

2021 count

64

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Tram

2021 count

478

% of total

5.8%

Change from 2016

+5.8pp

Ferry

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Taxi/ride-share

2021 count

40

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Car - as driver

2021 count

1,534

% of total

18.5%

Change from 2016

-54.2pp

Car - as passenger

2021 count

115

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Truck

2021 count

7

% of total

0.1%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Motorbike

2021 count

36

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Bicycle

2021 count

293

% of total

3.5%

Change from 2016

+3.5pp

Walked only

2021 count

1,009

% of total

12.1%

Change from 2016

+12.1pp

Other

2021 count

138

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

Worked at home

2021 count

3,247

% of total

39.1%

Change from 2016

+39.1pp

Did not go to work

2021 count

987

% of total

11.9%

Change from 2016

-15.4pp

Not stated

2021 count

29

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Data table

Method of travel to work for North Melbourne. Method of travel to work. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).

Method of travel to work for North Melbourne. Method of travel to work. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
Method of travel to work for North Melbourne. Method of travel to work. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Melbourne (C)%Count%Melbourne (C)%Countpp
Train3364.0%7.0%00.0%11.5%+336+4.0pp
Bus640.8%1.1%00.0%1.7%+64+0.8pp
Tram4785.8%8.5%00.0%18.0%+478+5.8pp
Ferry00.0%0.0%00.0%0.0%00.0pp
Taxi/ride-share400.5%0.4%00.0%0.4%+40+0.5pp
Car - as driver1,53418.5%14.5%872.7%20.7%+1,526-54.2pp
Car - as passenger1151.4%1.2%00.0%1.8%+115+1.4pp
Truck70.1%0.1%00.0%0.1%+7+0.1pp
Motorbike360.4%0.7%00.0%0.5%+36+0.4pp
Bicycle2933.5%2.2%00.0%3.9%+293+3.5pp
Walked only1,00912.1%12.1%00.0%26.2%+1,009+12.1pp
Other1381.7%1.5%00.0%1.7%+138+1.7pp
Worked at home3,24739.1%38.6%00.0%4.1%+3,247+39.1pp
Did not go to work98711.9%11.9%327.3%8.7%+984-15.4pp
Not stated290.3%0.4%00.0%0.8%+29+0.3pp
Total employed persons aged 15+8,313100.0%100.0%11100.0%100.0%+8,3020.0pp