Functional Capacity Assessments are the most influential single piece of evidence in NDIS plan reviews, SIL applications and SDA applications. The NDIA does not fund a diagnosis — it funds the functional impact of disability. A well-written FCA report bridges the gap between the participant’s lived experience and the planner’s funding decision.
What is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A Functional Capacity Assessment (sometimes called an FCA, FCE or NDIS functional assessment) is a structured clinical evaluation performed by an allied health professional — most commonly an Occupational Therapist — that documents how a person’s disability affects their ability to complete everyday activities. It looks beyond diagnosis and instead measures supervision, prompting, physical assistance, environmental modification and assistive technology needs across the eight NDIS functional domains: self-care, mobility, communication, social interaction, learning, self-management, community participation and domestic life. The output is a comprehensive written report that the NDIA, plan managers and Support Coordinators rely on when making decisions about reasonable and necessary supports.
When is a Functional Capacity Assessment Required?
An NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment is typically required when a participant is preparing for a plan reassessment, applying for Supported Independent Living (SIL) or Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), requesting increased support hours, applying for high-cost assistive technology, demonstrating a change of circumstances, or transitioning between life stages (school leaver, ageing carer, change in living arrangements). The NDIA will also formally request an FCA when existing evidence does not clearly establish the level of support required.
Areas Assessed in Our FCA Report
- •Daily living capacity (showering, dressing, meal preparation, medication management)
- •Mobility and physical transfers (indoor, outdoor, community, vehicle)
- •Communication, social interaction and behavioural support needs
- •Cognition, executive function and learning capacity
- •Self-management of finances, appointments and health
- •Community access, transport and social participation
- •Safety, supervision and risk profile (falls, choking, wandering, self-harm)
- •Home environment, housing suitability and environmental modifications
- •Assistive technology requirements and consumable supports
- •Informal supports and current paid support structure
Our FCA Assessment Process
Step 1 — Secure intake
Submit our intake form with NDIS plan details, demographics and consent. We confirm funding within one business day.
Step 2 — Document review
Our Occupational Therapist reviews medical reports, prior assessments, behaviour support plans and current support schedule.
Step 3 — Clinical interview
Virtual interview with the participant and (where relevant) nominee, family, Support Coordinator and support workers. Typical duration 90–180 minutes split across sessions.
Step 4 — Collateral information
Where relevant, we gather observations from support workers, allied health professionals and educators to build a robust evidence base.
Step 5 — Report drafting
Comprehensive 30–60 page report written against the reasonable and necessary criteria with clear support hour recommendations.
Step 6 — Issue and follow-up
Report issued within 7 business days. Free clarification turn for the participant or Support Coordinator within 14 days of issue.
How Functional Capacity Assessments Influence NDIS Funding Decisions
NDIS planners are required to make decisions against the reasonable and necessary criteria under section 34 of the NDIS Act. Functional Capacity Assessments provide the structured evidence that connects disability to function, function to support need, and support need to a dollar value. Without a current FCA, planners will frequently roll over existing budgets or apply standard hour benchmarks — which often under-represent the true support requirement. A high-quality FCA that quantifies prompting, supervision intensity and risk is consistently the strongest predictor of an improved funding outcome.
Who Completes Our Assessments?
All FCA Reports Australia assessments are completed by AHPRA-registered Occupational Therapists with specific NDIS training and a minimum of three years of disability-specific experience. Our clinicians complete ongoing professional development in psychosocial disability, complex behaviour, paediatric disability and home and living pathways. Every report receives a peer review prior to issue.
Why Choose FCA Reports Australia
We were founded specifically to solve the bottleneck of slow, generic NDIS assessments. Our virtual-first model removes geographic limits, our standardised report templates ensure NDIA-aligned language, and our 7 business day turnaround is industry-leading. We work with participants, Support Coordinators and families across every state and territory in Australia.