If your morning journey to work feels longer, more expensive and more exhausting than it did a few years ago, you’re not imagining it. According to a recent report commissioned by Real Insurance, Aussies are indeed travelling further, taking more time and shelling out more to get to the office – and the toll on our wellbeing is real.
Based on a survey of more than 5,000 commuters nationwide, the average Australian now spends 64 minutes a day getting to work – up ten minutes since 2022 – covering 37 kilometres, compared with 32 kilometres just three years ago. The financial hit is mounting too: the average daily out-of-pocket commute costs $19.10, and annual vehicle maintenance has jumped from $2,015 to $2,298.
According to the data, cars remain king – almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of commuters rely on private vehicles, though trains are stealing some of the spotlight. Rail use has jumped to 30 per cent of commuters, up from just 21 per cent in 2022. Meanwhile, buses, rideshares, trams and the good old-fashioned walk to work are holding steady, with non-electric bikes and scooters slowly declining.
Seven in ten Australians say financial pressures are shaping their commuting choices, and nearly two-thirds describe their daily journey as “expensive.” In response, commuters are getting strategic: hunting for cheaper fuel, avoiding tolls, mixing modes of transport or leaning on navigation apps to find faster, cost-effective routes. And commutes aren’t just draining wallets – they’re exhausting minds. Public transport users complain about delays and cancellations (66 per cent), overcrowding (59 per cent) and even the behaviour or smells of fellow passengers (52 per cent). Drivers have their own set of irritants: traffic congestion tops the list (59 per cent), followed by inconsiderate or aggressive drivers (listed by 51 per cent and 49 per cent of commuters respectively).
In the face of the draining into-office journey, Australians are adapting. The average commuter now says they can tolerate 91 minutes of daily travel before reconsidering their job or home – up from 62 minutes in 2022. Flexibility remains critical: nearly two-thirds of hybrid workers (64 per cent) would consider changing jobs if required to return to the office full-time. Commuting costs also shape housing decisions, with 65 per cent reporting that it influences where they live.
Although Aussie commuters are adapting, the message from this recent report is clear: travel times are longer, costs are rising, and for many, WFH flexibility isn’t just a perk – it’s make-or-break.