Key Takeaways
If you’re an adult with disability living in Australia, and either are an NDIS participant or looking to become one, then chances are you’ve heard of the recommendation to get a functional capacity assessment (FCA).
In this article, we explain exactly what FCAs are, what purpose they serve, and how you go about obtaining them.
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is one of the most important tools used to understand how well a person can manage daily tasks and participate in their community. For NDIS participants, it’s often a crucial part of securing the right supports, updating goals, or accessing additional funding.
At its core, an FCA provides a clear picture of what you can do, what you may need assistance with, and what kinds of therapy or services can help you become more independent over time. It’s thorough, evidence-based, and personalised—designed to capture the realities of everyday life, not just the snapshot of a one-hour appointment.
In this blog, we’ll break down what an FCA includes, why it’s important, and how it supports your journey under the NDIS.
An FCA is a comprehensive assessment completed by an allied health professional—usually an Occupational Therapist (OT). It looks at your ability to perform daily tasks across different areas of life, including:
Instead of focusing only on limitations, an FCA highlights your strengths, current abilities, and the supports that could help you reach your goals.
Your assessor will use a mix of interviews, observations, standardised tests, and real-life activities to develop a detailed report. This report becomes a foundational document for your NDIS plan or reassessment.
For many participants, the FCA becomes the bridge between daily challenges and the supports they truly need. It provides clear, structured evidence that NDIS planners use to determine funding.
If you’re applying for assistive technology, therapies, support workers, home modifications, or capacity-building supports, the NDIS needs written evidence—and that’s exactly what an FCA provides.
It outlines not just what you need, but why you need it.
Goals are the backbone of every NDIS plan.
During an FCA, your OT will help refine your goals based on your current abilities and long-term aspirations—whether that’s improving daily living skills, increasing independence at home, or participating more in the community.
NDIS plans are not one-size-fits-all.
A functional capacity assessment helps your therapy team recommend supports that are specific to your circumstances, lifestyle, and daily demands.
This is especially helpful during plan reviews.
If your needs have changed—or if previous supports weren’t enough—an FCA helps ensure the NDIS sees the full picture.
No two FCAs are exactly the same, but they typically involve:
Both are possible, but it’s generally better to have your functional capacity assessment at home. This way, the assessor can have a more accurate picture of your abilities and limitations in your usual environment.
The assessor also can see the specific challenges presented by your environment, and can make recommendations for how you can be supported (e.g., home modifications and assistive devices).
You will receive a detailed report that includes:
Your therapy team can also help you understand the report and use it during plan meetings or reviews.
No need to come to a clinic for your functional capacity assessment–our mobile team can come to you.
We’ll perform a careful and accurate assessment within the context of your home environment, and create a thorough report that can be vital in your NDIS funding application.
Call 02 8808 4000 or contact us through this form to enquire.