Behind the Billions: Understanding NDIS & Hospital Funding Realities

Let’s shift the conversation from blame to empowerment

When you hear that the NDIS is funded with over $42 billion a year, the first thought many people have is:

“Why are so many people still missing out on the support they need?”

It’s a valid question — and one that deserves clarity, not conflict.

We live in a time where families, carers, participants, and providers are feeling the pressure. But rather than attacking the system or each other, it’s time to understand how the funding works, where the challenges are, and what we can do to create change through connection and informed action.

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NDIS: Where Does $42 Billion Go?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme supports around 720,000 Australians with disability. On the surface, $42 billion sounds like more than enough — but let’s look deeper.

➡️ The average annual plan sits around $58,000 per person, though this varies significantly based on each individual’s needs.

➡️ This budget has to cover everything:

• Direct supports

• Support coordination

• Therapy & assessments

• Admin and workforce costs

• Equipment, housing, transport

• Provider operations

When you understand how complex the needs can be, it’s clear that this money has to stretch a long way.

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What 24/7 Care Really Costs

Let’s break it down practically.

If someone needs around-the-clock care, and the provider charges $67 per hour (a standard weekday rate), here’s what that looks like:

• Daily: 24 hours × $67 = $1,608/day

• Weekly: $1,608 × 7 = $11,256/week

• Annually: $1,608 × 365 = $586,920/year

That’s nearly $600k for one person’s daily care — and this doesn’t include therapy, allied health, or assistive technology.

And while not everyone needs this level of care, for those who do, their needs are significant. These numbers are not about greed or misuse — they reflect real life, human needs, which can’t be ignored or reduced to a spreadsheet.

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How Are Hospitals Funded — and Why Should We Care?

Now let’s shift to hospitals. Public hospitals are not immune to financial pressures either. Most people don’t realise:

• They are funded through a mix of federal and state funding

• They must meet strict KPIs to retain that funding

• Their funding is tied to bed turnover, discharge rates, and efficiency

• They face penalties or reduced budgets if those KPIs aren’t met

So what happens?

🛏️ Patients are discharged faster.

😓 Staff work under extreme pressure.

🚪 Beds become numbers, not people.

And still, hospitals are dealing with:

• Complex cases (especially those waiting on NDIS or aged care support)

• Staff shortages

• Overcrowded EDs

• Burnout

It’s a cycle of pressure, not a failure of passion.

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So What’s the Answer? Compassion + Collaboration

The systems aren’t broken because people don’t care.

They’re under pressure because of misaligned funding, increasing demand, and a lack of honest public understanding.

Instead of fighting each other — families vs providers, providers vs NDIA, or patients vs hospitals — we need to:

✅ Get informed

✅ Build purpose-driven conversations

✅ Advocate together

✅ Push for meaningful reform

Because behind the data are people. And behind the pressure is purpose — people trying to make a difference, often with limited resources.

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A Message from Jacqui G

At Break Free Consultancy, we’re about connecting with purpose and empowering real conversations that move us from confusion to clarity — and from burnout to breakthrough.

Let’s shift the narrative from blame to collaboration.

Let’s rise together — with purpose, with understanding, and with action.

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