Method of travel to work (MTWP)

This variable records up to three methods, or means, of travel to work on the day of the Census, for each person aged 15 years and over who was employed during the week before the Census. The question allows for multiple responses across all categories except walked only, worked at home, and did not go to work.

Persons aged 15 years and over employed during the week before the Census

The responses to this question are captured automatically from mark box responses on the Census form. Respondents were able to select more than one response with up to three methods recorded. Where more than three methods were used, responses were accepted in the order they appeared on the form and the extra responses were rejected.

In cases where the combination of responses contained 'Did not go to work', 'Worked at home' or 'Walked only', then these unique responses override any others. If more than one of these unique responses is in the same combination, then a single response is selected in the order they appear. 

The question relating to Method of travel to work (MTWP) was first asked in the 1976 Census. Similar questions have been asked in every Census since then.

In 2021 changes were made to the Census question for two categories:

• 'Taxi' has been changed to 'Taxi/ride-share service'
• 'Tram' has been changed to 'Tram/light rail'

This variable is used with Place of usual residence (PURP) and Place of work (POWP) address to construct 'journey to work' data for transport planning.

Unlike most Census variables, the non-response rate for Method of travel to work (MTWP) is not affected by persons who did not return a Census form because this variable is only applicable to persons with a labour force status of 'employed'. Persons who do not respond or have a labour force status of 'not stated' are not applicable to Method of travel to work.

The non-response rate for Method of travel to work (MTWP) was 0.5% in 2021. This is a decrease from 1.0% in 2016.

Usual method of travel to work

When using this data with POWP data, users should be aware that POWP refers to the main job last week, while MTWP refers to Census day. This may explain why, for a small proportion of records, MTWP data may appear inconsistent with POWP or PURP information. 

For example, a person may have been working in the centre of Perth on 10 August 2021 and have travelled there by train, however in the week before the Census, they may have been working in an outer suburb of Perth and travelled there by car. In this case, the person would have their MTWP as 'Train' on the Census form, whilst their usual travel pattern would be by car.

Other scenario examples:

• If a person who had a job became unemployed, retired or on leave on 10 August 2021, their method of travel to work would not reflect their usual travel pattern.
• If a person who was unemployed but gained employment in the week before Census, their method of travel to work would not be captured. The sequencing of questions is based on labour force status in the week before Census.
• If a person rides a bicycle a couple days per week, but ‘usually’ catches the bus, the Method of travel to work focuses on the activity specific to Census day, to capture the minor mode of travel i.e. bicycle.

Walked only

If a person walked some of the way to work and used other methods, it is not included as an additional method. For example, if they walked then caught the bus, then ‘Bus’ only should be selected. Only if the person walked all the way to work, should ‘Walked only’ be selected.

Lockdown

A number of regions across the country were in various stages of lockdown on Census day, and the week preceding it, resulting in a greater number of people working from their homes.  Not only may this impact their responses for their place of work, but also, their travel to work.  Guidance on how to correctly respond was provided at the time on the Census website, as follows:

Answering questions about your workplace and job role

If you are currently working from home due to COVID-19 restrictions, but usually attend a workplace, please write the employer's usual workplace address.

Answering questions about whether you had a job

If you were employed in the four weeks prior to the current lockdown period, but haven't been able to work in the last week due to lockdown or requirement to self-isolate, please select 'Yes, but absent on holidays, on paid leave, on strike or temporarily stood down'.

Answering questions about your workplace and job role

If you were employed in the four weeks prior to the current lockdown period, but haven't been able to work in the last week due to COVID-19 restrictions or requirement to self-isolate, please answer all questions reflecting your usual occupation. This includes your role (such as occupation and tasks performed) and  information about your employer (such as industry and number of employees). 

• Number of motor vehicles (VEHD)
• Place of work (POWP)
• Place of usual residence (PURP)
• Labour force status (LFSP)
• Derivation
• Imputation

• Tourism and transport
• Transport: Census

• Understanding Place of work data