What Is a Functional Capacity Assessment — and When Is It Needed?

If you’ve ever been asked to get a Functional Capacity Assessment — or FCA — as part of the NDIS, you might be wondering what it involves, why it matters, and how to go about it.

Here’s everything you need to know.

📘 What Is a Functional Capacity Assessment?

A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a comprehensive report written by an allied health professional — usually an occupational therapist — that describes a person’s ability to complete daily tasks and participate in everyday life.

It considers things like:

• Personal care (e.g. showering, dressing)

• Communication

• Mobility and transport

• Household tasks

• Social and community participation

• Work and study

The report outlines what the person can do independently, what they need help with, and what supports (including funding) might help improve their independence and quality of life.

🏥 Who Writes an FCA?

FCAs are usually written by occupational therapists, but depending on the person’s needs, they can also involve:

• Physiotherapists

• Speech pathologists

• Psychologists

• Behaviour practitioners

The assessor must have a strong understanding of NDIS requirements and how to match assessments to funding outcomes.

🧠 Why Would Someone Need an FCA?

The most common reasons for requesting a Functional Capacity Assessment are:

1. Applying to Access the NDIS

NDIS access requests need solid evidence. An FCA can help prove that someone’s disability has a significant impact on daily life and meets NDIS eligibility.

2. Requesting a Plan Review

If a participant’s needs have changed, an FCA provides evidence to support requests for:

• Increased Core or Capacity Building budgets

• Assistive technology or home modifications

• Support coordination

• Specialist disability accommodation (SDA)

• Supported independent living (SIL)

3. Transition Planning

For teens transitioning into adulthood, or adults moving into independent living, an FCA helps identify the right supports for a safe and successful transition.

🧾 What’s Involved in the Assessment?

A full FCA might involve:

• In-person or telehealth interviews with the participant and/or carers

• Observations of how the person manages daily tasks

• Standardised tests (e.g. PEDI-CAT, Vineland, WHODAS)

• Documentation of current supports, goals, and environment

• A formal written report with recommendations

📅 When Is the Best Time to Get One?

It depends on your situation, but generally an FCA is helpful before:

• Submitting an initial NDIS application

• Preparing for a plan reassessment

• Requesting a change in support needs

• Transitioning between life stages (e.g. from school to adult programs)

Talk to your support coordinator or plan manager if you’re not sure whether one is needed right now.

🧭 Is It Funded by the NDIS?

Yes — if you already have an NDIS plan, FCAs can be funded under:

• Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building budget)

If you’re applying for the NDIS and don’t yet have a plan, you’ll need to pay privately or speak to your GP about referral options through Medicare or community health services.

🤝 How We Help at Loving Life

We don’t complete FCAs ourselves — but we do work closely with local occupational therapists who do.

Our role is to support you with:

• Understanding how assessments link to your funding

• Helping you prepare for a plan review

• Supporting implementation of recommendations (e.g. life skill building, community access)

We believe in supporting the whole participant, and that includes working as a team with allied health.

📍 Based on the Gold Coast

📝 Contact us here if you need help preparing for an upcoming FCA or NDIS review.