There were always 35,000 wanting to come home. 5000, would get home, another 5,000 would join the queue.
Most "trapped" in countries where Covid was rife.
Planes weren't flying. Cabin crews didn't want to die or be maimed for life.
After it was discovered that Covid got into Australia via plane crews from overseas, strict quarantining of all people arriving in Australia was introduced.
Those Australians [some had been living overseas for decades or years] deciding to come home had to wait their turn.
During the pandemic some people left Australia to go help/see relatives overseas. Some died over there doing so, some got in the queue to come home.
Some American citizens are trapped in Afghanistan, hiding, waiting to get out or be beheaded if discovered.
Anyway, one thing I've learnt from the pandemic etc is;
"One leaves one's country's shores at one's own peril".