This variable presents the distance in kilometres between a person's Place of usual residence (PURP) and Place of work (POWP). The calculation of this variable uses existing Census data. This provides a way to increase the value of Census data without asking additional questions on the Census form.

Persons aged 15 years and over who stated their labour force status as ‘employed’

This variable is created using a combination of existing statistical and geospatial data to make new calculations. It is calculated using the shortest path of a road network, from the respondent’s place of usual residence mesh block (PURP), to that of their workplace (POWP), using geospatial software. It is assumed in the calculation of this data that a person has followed the shortest path with no stops when commuting to work.

Where the shortest path is not possible, a straight-line distance between a person’s Usual residence and Place of work mesh blocks is calculated. A straight-line distance is likely to underrepresent the true distance of a commuting route, so a correction factor is incorporated by multiplying the straight-line distance by 1.3. This value was selected based on ABS analysis on the difference between road network and straight-line distance, and the value also aligned closely with similar studies. The source of road network data was Navteq November 2021 (produced by HERE Technology) to ensure a representative network with updates as close to Census Night as possible.

This variable was first introduced in 2016.

No changes have been made in 2021.

Mesh blocks are the smallest geographical area defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and form the building blocks for the larger regions within the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).

The distance to work data should be considered an estimate as it is a measurement between the centre point (or centroid) of the mesh block of PURP and mesh block of POWP. The location of the centroid in the mesh block was weighted based on the location of residential and commercial addresses respectively.

For some people, a small distance is calculated where the centre points for mesh block of PURP and mesh block of POWP are weighted to different locations. This is the case for people who lived and worked in the same mesh block and their Method of travel to work (MTWP) was not recorded as:

• Worked from home
• Did not go to work
• Mode not stated

Conversely, some people who lived and worked in different mesh blocks have a distance to work of 0 kilometres due to the way in which the centroids have been snapped to a road. 

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

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 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 4 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 4 weeks prior to the current lockdown period, but haven't been able to work in the last week due to COVID 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). 

• Place of usual residence (PURP)
• Place of work (POWP)
• Imputed distance to work (IFDTWP)

• Understanding Place of work data
• Tourism and transport
• Transport: Census

This variable indicates whether a person's distance to work was calculated using a straight-line or road network distance. A straight-line distance is only used where the data is not available to calculate based on a road network (for example, there was a break in the underlying road network data as a person travelled between an island and the Australian mainland), or the straight-line distance of the commute is greater than 250 kilometres. 

Persons aged 15 years and over who stated their labour force status as ‘employed’

The variable is created when the data for Distance to work (ranges) (DTWP) variable is processed. A code is assigned to the record depending on which method was used to derive distance to work. A straight-line distance is only used where the data is not available to calculate based on a road network, or the straight-line distance of the commute is greater than 250 kilometres. 

A straight-line distance is likely to underrepresent the true distance of a commuting route, so a correction factor is incorporated by multiplying the straight-line distance by 1.3. This value was selected based on ABS analysis on the difference between road network and straight-line distance, and the value also aligned closely with similar studies. The source of road network data was Navteq November 2021 (produced by HERE Technology) to ensure a representative network with updates as close to Census Night as possible.

This variable was first introduced in 2016.

In 2021 category 3 'Did not commute' was added. In 2016 persons who did not commute were coded under category 1 and 2. 

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created by using responses from more than one question on the Census form.

Lockdown

A number of regions across the country were in various stages of lockdown on Census Night, 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). 

• Place of usual residence (PURP)
• Place of work (POWP)
• Distance to work (ranges) (DTWP)

• Understanding Place of work data
• Tourism and transport
• Transport: Census

This variable records the method of travel to work in six modes on Census day 10 August 2021. Data is derived from the Method of travel to work (MTWP) variable.

See also Method of travel to work (15 travel modes) (MTW15P).

Persons aged 15 years or over who have labour force status of ‘employed’

This variable is derived from the Census variable MTWP which records the method used to travel to work on the day of the Census. The MTWP classification has been sourced from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics.

Method of travel to work (6 travel modes) can also be aggregated from the 15 travel modes as follows:

This variable was first introduced in 2016.

No changes have been made in 2021.  

This variable is derived from the Method of travel to work (MTWP) variable. 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 Place of work (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). 

• Method of travel to work (MTWP)
• Method of travel to work (15 modes) (MTW15P)
• Place of usual residence (PURP)
• Place of work (POWP)
• Distance to work (ranges) (DTWP)

• Tourism and transport
• Transport: Census

• Understanding Place of work data

These variables record the method of travel to work in 15 travel modes on Census day 10 August 2021. Data is derived from the Method of travel to work MTWP variable.

See also Method of travel to work (6 travel modes) (MTW06P).

Persons aged 15 years or over who stated their labour force status as ‘employed’

These variables are derived from the Census variable MTWP which records the method used to travel to work on the day of the Census. The MTWP classification has been sourced from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Research Economics.

The table in MTW06P shows how categories are aggregated to create Method of travel to work (15 travel modes).

This variable was first introduced in 2016.

Minor updates to the category labels have been made to align with MTWP.

Mode 15 reflects the ‘main mode’ used in that journey from home to workplace. Where multiple methods of work are used, a priority hierarchy is used to make assumptions for the ‘main mode’. The priority hierarchy for mode 15 is:

• Train
• Bus
• Ferry
• Tram/light rail
• Taxi/ride-share service
• Vehicle driver
• Vehicle passenger
• Truck
• Motorbike or motor scooter
• Bicycle
• Walked only
• Other mode (not elsewhere specified)

For example, if a person selected, ‘Train’ and ‘Bus’, their mode of transport would be coded to ‘1 Train’ for Mode of travel to work (15 modes), even if ‘bus’ made the majority of the trip, due to the higher ranking of ‘train’ in the priority list.

This variable is derived from the Method of travel to work (MTWP) variable. 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 Place of work (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 Place of usual residence (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 MTWP would not reflect their usual travel pattern.
• If a person who was unemployed but gained employment in the week before Census, their MTWP 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 MTWP 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). 

• Method of travel to work (MTWP)
• Method of travel to work (6 modes) (MTW06P)
• Place of work (POWP)
• Distance to work (ranges) (DTWP)

• Tourism and transport
• Transport: Census

• Understanding Place of work data

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

This variable records the number of registered motor vehicles owned or used by household members that were garaged or parked at or near private dwellings on Census Night. It includes vans and company-owned vehicles and excludes motorbikes, scooters and heavy motor vehicles.

Occupied private dwellings

Number of motor vehicles is a dwelling variable created from the number of motor vehicles owned or used question. Data for this variable is captured automatically from a written numeric response or by marking the 'None' mark box on the paper form.

This variable includes single fields for values from 0 to 29. Values of 30 or more are grouped together. The related variable Number of motor vehicles (ranges) (VEHRD) groups responses to this question differently, with responses for 1 to 3 motor vehicles available singly, and responses of 4 or more motor vehicles coded into the grouped category of 'Four or more motor vehicles'.

This variable was first introduced in 1966. The question has remained in all subsequent censuses.

In 2001 this question also asked for the number of motorbikes and motor scooters. In 2006, asking for motorbikes and motor scooters was removed because of their lesser impact on the transport system.

In 2021, additional instructional text was added to exclude heavy motor vehicles. This was done to better clarify the existing definition of a motor vehicle.

Governments and councils use information from this question to plan transport infrastructure and services. Motorbikes and motor scooters are excluded from this question because of their lesser impact on the transport system. The question also excludes heavy motor vehicles (over 4.5t GVM). Tractors, boats and caravans are also not included.

The data may include a small proportion of dwellings with unusually large numbers of vehicles, as all numeric responses are accepted as reported.

The non-response rate for Number of motor vehicles (VEHD) was 5.4% in 2021. This is a decrease from 8.4% in 2016. 

• Number of motor vehicles (ranges) (VEHRD)
• Place of usual residence (PURP)

• Tourism and transport
• Transport: Census

This variable records the number in ranges of registered motor vehicles owned or used by household members that were garaged or parked at or near private dwellings on Census Night. It includes vans and company owned vehicles and excludes motorbikes, scooters and heavy motor vehicles.

Occupied private dwellings

Number of motor vehicles (ranges) is a dwelling variable created from the number of motor vehicles owned or used question. Data for this variable is captured automatically from a written numeric response or by marking the 'None' mark box on the paper form.

This variable groups responses to this question, with 1 to 3 motor vehicles available singly, then responses of 4 or more motor vehicles coded into the grouped category of 'Four or more motor vehicles'.  The related variable Number of motor vehicles (VEHD) groups these responses differently, with single fields for values from 0 to 29, and values of 30 or more grouped together. 

This variable was first introduced in 1966. The question has remained in all subsequent Censuses.

In 2001 this question also asked for the number of motorbikes and motor scooters. In 2006, asking for motorbikes and motor scooters was removed because of their lesser impact on the transport system.

In 2021, additional instructional text was added to exclude heavy motor vehicles. This was done to better clarify the existing definition of a motor vehicle.

Governments and councils use information from this question to plan transport infrastructure and services. Motorbikes and motor scooters are excluded from this question because of their lesser impact on the transport system. The question also excludes heavy motor vehicles (over 4.5t GVM). Tractors, boats and caravans are also not included.

The data may include a small proportion of dwellings with unusually large numbers of vehicles, as all numeric responses are accepted as reported.

This variable is derived from Number of motor vehicles (VEHD). The non-response rate for Number of motor vehicles (VEHD) was 5.4% in 2021. This is a decrease from 8.4% in 2016. 

• Number of motor vehicles (VEHD)
• Place of usual residence (PURP)

• Tourism and transport
• Transport: Census