Method of travel to work (6 travel modes) (MTW06P)

Latest release
Census of Population and Housing: Census dictionary
Reference period
2021

Definition

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).

Scope

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

Categories

CodeCategory
1Public transport
2Vehicle
3Active transport
4Other mode
5Worked at home or did not go to work
6Not stated
@Not applicable
VOverseas visitor

Number of categories: 8

Not applicable (@) comprises:

  • Unemployed persons looking for either part-time or full-time work
  • Persons not in the labour force
  • Persons with Labour force status (LFSP) not stated
  • Persons aged under 15 years
  • Overseas visitors

See Understanding supplementary codes for more information.

Question(s) from the Census form

How did the person get to work on Tuesday 10 August 2021?

How this variable is created

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:

MTW15PMTW15P DescriptionMTW06PMTW06P Description
01Train1Public transport
02Bus1Public transport
03Ferry1Public transport
04Tram/light rail1Public transport
05Taxi/ride-share service1Public transport
06Car as driver2Vehicle
07Car as passenger2Vehicle
08Truck2Vehicle
09Motorbike/scooter2Vehicle
10Bicycle3Active transport
11Other mode4Other mode
12Walked only3Active transport
13Worked at home5Worked at home or did not go to work
14Did not go to work5Worked at home or did not go to work
15Not stated6Mode not stated
@@Not applicable@Not applicable
VVOverseas visitorVOverseas visitor

History and changes

This variable was first introduced in 2016.

No changes have been made in 2021.  

Data use considerations

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). 

Related variables and glossary terms

  • 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)
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