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).
