What is a Functional Capacity Assessment?

A Functional Capacity Assessment provides a comprehensive overview of how a disability or health condition impacts an individual’s ability to engage in daily activities and the types of support they may require.

What methods are used in a Functional Capacity Assessment?

Functional capacity assessments take a holistic approach and use a variety of methods tailored to each person. These methods may include informal assessments, observational assessments, and formal assessments.

What are informal assessments?

Informal assessments involve discussions with the individual, their family, carers, or support network to understand their experiences and perspectives on their occupational performance and participation.

What are observational assessments?

Observational assessments involve the occupational therapist observing the individual performing specific tasks and analysing each step of the process to identify strengths, challenges, and potential modifications or supports.

What are formal assessments?

Formal assessments are evidence-based and often standardised tools designed to provide accurate and reliable data. Examples include the WHODAS 2.0, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales 3, Sensory Profile 2 (SP2), Care and Needs Scale (CANS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), and Life Skills Profile (LSP-16).

What areas are assessed in a Functional Capacity Assessment?

A functional capacity assessment may address various areas, including mobility, communication, sensory needs, fine and gross motor skills, domestic skills, self-care, community participation, emotional regulation, play skills, attention, memory, and problem-solving abilities.

Introducing Our Brief Functional Capacity Assessments (Brief FCAs)

We know that navigating the NDIS can be complex, and not every participant requires a full, 10+ hour assessment. To help make allied health supports accessible and transparent, we offer a Brief Functional Capacity Assessment service.

Offered at a fixed rate of $969.95 (5 billable hours total, plus applicable travel), our Brief FCA is a streamlined clinical option designed to deliver clear, actionable clinical evidence without the higher cost or time commitment of a standard full assessment.

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          Service Feature
          Brief FCA
          Full FCA
        

      
          Fee Breakdown
          $969.95 (5 billable hours + travel if in-person)
          $1,939.90 (10 billable hours + travel if in-person)
        

          Clinical Observation
          1 Session (In-clinic or Telehealth)
          Multiple Sessions (Home and community settings)
        

          Standardised Tools
          1 Standardised Assessment Tool (e.g. WHODAS 2.0 or Vineland-3)
          Multiple Specialised Assessments tailored to complex needs
        

          Domain Reporting
          High-level reporting across broad NDIS functional domains
          In-depth clinical breakdown across micro-subdomains and daily tasks
        

          OT Recommendations
          Targeted / Focused Scope (Single-issue evidence or low-cost AT)
          Comprehensive Scope (Housing, high-cost AT, full roster of care)
        

          Suitability
          NDIS Access Evidence & Minimal Support Needs
          Complex Care & Plan Reviews
        

    
  
When a Brief FCA May Be Suitable
NDIS Access Evidence: Documenting baseline functional capacity information to support an initial application to join the NDIS.
Single-Issue Reviews: Gathering clinical evidence for a focused request (such as minor support hour adjustments or standard low-cost assistive technology).
Streamlined Timelines: A focused assessment process requiring reduced clinical and report-writing overhead.
When a Full FCA is Required
Complex Care Needs: Participant presents with multi-layered physical, cognitive, or neurodivergent support requirements.
Home & Living Requests: Exploring clinical justification for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Supported Independent Living (SIL), or ILO.
Complex AT & Modifications: Requiring customised equipment prescriptions (e.g. power wheelchairs) or major home modifications.

Service Feature	Brief FCA	Full FCA
Fee Breakdown	$969.95 (5 billable hours + travel if in-person)	$1,939.90 (10 billable hours + travel if in-person)
Clinical Observation	1 Session (In-clinic or Telehealth)	Multiple Sessions (Home and community settings)
Standardised Tools	1 Standardised Assessment Tool (e.g. WHODAS 2.0 or Vineland-3)	Multiple Specialised Assessments tailored to complex needs
Domain Reporting	High-level reporting across broad NDIS functional domains	In-depth clinical breakdown across micro-subdomains and daily tasks
OT Recommendations	Targeted / Focused Scope (Single-issue evidence or low-cost AT)	Comprehensive Scope (Housing, high-cost AT, full roster of care)
Suitability	NDIS Access Evidence & Minimal Support Needs	Complex Care & Plan Reviews

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ready when you are

48 hours

We will reach out to introduce ourselves, discuss services and next steps

24 hours

After our discussion and receiving all the sign-up details required, we will send a service agreement for you to sign online.

2 weeks

Where possible, we will book our first appointment for within 2 weeks of receiving your completed service agreement

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