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 The Hills Shire (A), accounting for 45.3% (43,723 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (38.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in working from home, which increased by 38,841 people and 39.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Method of travel to work

The Hills Shire (A) - Employed persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises method of travel to work for The Hills Shire (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.

Method of travel to work change

Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.

2016
2021

Train

-1,191

-1.9pp

Bus

-8,583

-10.9pp

Tram

+5

0.0pp

Ferry

-7

0.0pp

Taxi/ride-share

-27

-0.1pp

Car - as driver

-16,719

-27.8pp

Car - as passenger

-791

-1.4pp

Truck

-172

-0.4pp

Motorbike

-172

-0.2pp

Bicycle

-81

-0.1pp

Walked only

-215

-0.4pp

Other

-56

-0.2pp

Worked at home

+38,841

+39.2pp

Did not go to work

+5,691

+4.6pp

Not stated

-241

-0.3pp

Data table

Method of travel to work for The Hills Shire (A). Method of travel to work. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.

Method of travel to work for The Hills Shire (A). Method of travel to work. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
Method of travel to work for The Hills Shire (A). Method of travel to work. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Sydney%Count%Greater Sydney%Countpp
Train1,8731.9%4.1%3,0643.8%16.2%-1,191-1.9pp
Bus1,2361.3%1.4%9,81912.2%6.1%-8,583-10.9pp
Tram170.0%0.1%120.0%0.1%+50.0pp
Ferry00.0%0.0%70.0%0.3%-70.0pp
Taxi/ride-share430.0%0.1%700.1%0.2%-27-0.1pp
Car - as driver33,08534.3%34.2%49,80462.1%52.7%-16,719-27.8pp
Car - as passenger2,1142.2%2.6%2,9053.6%3.9%-791-1.4pp
Truck5190.5%0.6%6910.9%0.9%-172-0.4pp
Motorbike1470.2%0.4%3190.4%0.7%-172-0.2pp
Bicycle890.1%0.4%1700.2%0.7%-81-0.1pp
Walked only7840.8%2.3%9991.2%4.0%-215-0.4pp
Other6780.7%0.8%7340.9%1.1%-56-0.2pp
Worked at home43,72345.3%38.9%4,8826.1%4.4%+38,841+39.2pp
Did not go to work11,90112.3%13.6%6,2107.7%7.8%+5,691+4.6pp
Not stated2660.3%0.4%5070.6%0.9%-241-0.3pp
Total employed persons aged 15+96,475100.0%100.0%80,193100.0%100.0%+16,2820.0pp