Do have Australia’s most expensive commute?

A new study has crunched the numbers, revealing Australia’s best and worst commute. One city pays the most while travelling the most.

Jack Evans

@Jackevansreport

3 min read

November 17, 2022 - 11:33PM

A new study of 5000 Aussie commuters has revealed who has the country’s best and worst city commute.

As the nation grapples with the highest inflation rate in more than 30 years, and as fuel prices continue to soar, a new study has revealed the pressure Australian commuters currently face and what we’re doing differently after Covid-19.

According to the findings in The Real Australian Commute Report 2022 – a collaboration between Real Insurance and CoreData research group – the average Australian commuter travels 33km for 54 minutes per day, with an average cost of $20 per day.

Sydneysiders draw have the most expensive and longest commute. Picture: Monique Harmer

But there are some significant outliers.

Sydney commuters pay the most at $22, with the average home-to-work journey taking 62 minutes.

Commuters in Hobart share the dearest $22 daily commute but have significantly shorter average travel time (45 minutes) and the nation’s shortest distance to travel (24km).

Darwin commuters spend the least ($12), followed by Adelaide commuters ($17).

Hobart commuters pay the equal most in Australia but have the shortest distance to travel.

Cost of living makes commute costs bite harder

The report found that commuting costs were beginning to impact Australians’ finances, with the commuter nationally spending $4003 per year – or $43.2 billion collectively – getting from A to B.

“That’s a lot of money, and with rising financial concerns and a potential looming recession, it’s not surprising to hear that most commuters surveyed (85 per cent) agree the government could do more to ease the costs of their daily commute,” the report stated.

Petrol and diesel prices continue to rise. Picture: Brendan Radke

The report found 83 per cent of commuters agree “the journey to work has never felt as expensive as it is now”, while 47 per cent agrees “increased costs have put considerable financial pressure on their household”.

Seventy-one Aussie commuters believe the rising cost of living has impacted their commuting costs in the past year and felt that the rising fuel and transport costs have resulted in considerable additional financial pressure for their household (48 per cent).

Survey flags public transport dismay

The report found nationally, bad behaviour on public transport was hitting a nerve with commuters.

It found 78 per cent of mass transit commuters believe that commuters with bad manners should be fined or even banned from using public transport.

Aussies commuters say behaviour on public transport needs to improve. Picture: Mikaela Day

Eighty-seven per cent with fellow public transport commuters “had better manners”, while 83 per cent wished commuters were “friendlier to each other”.

Rage at Aussie road manners

Those opting to drive to work also reported problems of their own. Ninety-one per cent of Australian drivers surveyed agree that other drivers should have better knowledge of the road rules, while 85 per cent believed too many road users are “not courteous or safe”.

Aussies also think other road uses need a refresher on road rules.

Has 2022 signalled the return to the office – and not commuting

After two years of working from home, 2022 has signalled the return to the office – and the roads to get there.

“The past few years have given many Australians the opportunity to ditch their commute and work primarily from home by adopting new ways of working,” the report stated.

“Through their experiences with Covid-19 and working from home, many commuters (59 per cent) have changed their view on how much time and money they are willing to spend to get to work.

“And with HR departments struggling to fill positions, job seekers seem to be spoiled for choice. So, why take a job that requires a long and costly commute? “

According to the findings, 68 per cent of those surveyed felt that travel time and costs “strongly impact their choice of job and work location.”

Almost three-in-four said they would change jobs for work opportunities closer to home.

Are Aussies embracing the ‘green commute’

The report found while some Australians are keen to alter their commute to help the environment, the majority had other, less green, priorities.

The research showed “low running costs” (42 per cent) and “good performance” (39 per cent) were more important than “environmental friendliness” (21 per cent) when buying a car.

Two in five Aussies have entertained the idea of going electric. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

However, the survey did find 10 per cent has already purchased an environmentally friendly car, while two-in-five are considering purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle.

Interestingly, females (46 per cent) are less likely to want or own an environmentally friendly car than men (60 per cent).

When it came to age, Gen Z (46 per cent) were to most eager to go hybrid of full-electric, followed by Gen Y (45 per cent), Gen X (39 per cent), and Baby Boomers (35 per cent).