Stranded. Thousands in hospital beds as NDIS cuts bite home support

Key points

• More than 3,700 Australians are stuck in public hospital beds despite being medically cleared to leave, with most waiting for aged care placements. Around 1,140 are NDIS participants who need community support to live safely.
• The Commonwealth will cut NDIS supports from October 2026, transferring costs to states. In NSW, stranded patients rose 46% in a year, blocking one in eight emergency beds.
• Queensland has the highest number, costing the state $3.6 million daily.