Functional Capacity Assessment

What Is a Functional Capacity Assessment?

A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a detailed evaluation conducted by a registered occupational therapist. It examines a participant's ability to perform daily tasks, mobility, self-care, community participation, and functional goals within their home and broader environment. The assessment provides a clear, structured picture of current abilities, limitations, and the supports required to achieve greater independence.

Functional capacity assessments are the most common type of OT report requested under the NDIS, for Home Care Package applications, and for private participants navigating a change in function. They translate what a person can and cannot do into structured evidence that funding bodies, support coordinators, and other professionals can use.

What Does a Functional Capacity Assessment Involve?

Our occupational therapists use a combination of standardised assessment tools, clinical observation, and participant interviews to build a comprehensive understanding of functional capacity. The assessment typically takes one to two home visits of 60 to 90 minutes each, followed by 2 to 4 weeks of report preparation.

Typical components of an FCA include:

• Personal care and self-care tasks - showering, dressing, grooming, toileting
• Mobility, transfers, and balance in the home and community
• Domestic activities - meal preparation, cleaning, laundry, shopping
• Community participation, transport, and social engagement
• Cognitive and psychosocial functioning relevant to daily life
• Identification of environmental barriers, falls risks, and home safety considerations
• Goal setting aligned with participant priorities and current life stage
• Standardised assessment tools where appropriate - FIM, Lawton IADL, Berg Balance Scale, and others
• Detailed written report with clinical reasoning and evidence-based recommendations

What's in a Functional Capacity Assessment Report?

A comprehensive FCA report from Ergo Therapy Group is typically 10 to 20 pages and includes:

• Background information - diagnoses, history, supports currently in place
• Functional capacity assessment findings across all relevant domains
• Standardised assessment scores with interpretation
• Identified barriers to participation and independence
• Participant's stated goals and how supports map to them
• Specific support recommendations with clinical rationale
• Assistive technology, home modifications, or therapy needs identified
• Estimated funding requirements where relevant

Who Benefits from a Functional Capacity Assessment?

FCAs support a wide range of participants. The most common situations where we conduct functional capacity assessments include:

• NDIS participants preparing for a plan review or applying for first-time access
• Home Care Package recipients requiring functional evidence for level upgrades or care plan reviews
• Older adults experiencing age-related decline who need a structured view of safety and independence at home
• People with neurological conditions such as stroke, MS, Parkinson's, or acquired brain injury
• Mental health participants where psychosocial function affects daily living
• Children and adolescents with developmental conditions requiring NDIS or school-based support
• Private referrals where funding is not the focus but a clear picture of function is required

Supporting NDIS Funding Applications

Our FCA reports are written to NDIS Operational Guideline standards and are commonly used by support coordinators and plan managers as core evidence at plan reviews. A well-structured FCA report can support requests for assistive technology, home modifications, support coordination, capacity building, core supports, SIL/SDA funding, and therapy hours.

For participants applying for NDIS access for the first time, a functional capacity assessment is often the most important piece of evidence in demonstrating eligibility. We work closely with the participant and their family to ensure all relevant functional impacts are captured.

For participants approaching a plan review, read our guide on preparing for an NDIS plan review with an OT report - it covers timing, what to expect, and how to brief your OT.

Supporting Home Care Package Assessments

For Home Care Package recipients, we provide functional capacity assessments that help with package level reviews, falls prevention planning, and ongoing care coordination. Whether you are on a Level 1 package and approaching review, or on a Level 4 package and need a formal evidence update, an FCA gives your provider clear documentation.

For more on how OT fits into a Home Care Package, read our guide on using your HCP for occupational therapy.

FCA vs Progress Report vs SIL Assessment

A Functional Capacity Assessment is broader and more structured than a general therapy progress report. Progress reports summarise progress against existing goals; an FCA paints a comprehensive picture of functional capacity across all domains. For housing-specific documentation, SIL/SDA assessments focus specifically on housing suitability and 24/7 support needs.

Functional Capacity Assessments Across Melbourne and Sydney

Our occupational therapists deliver functional capacity assessments in participants' own homes across Melbourne and Western Sydney. Conducting the FCA in the home environment captures how a participant actually manages their daily routine, producing more accurate recommendations and stronger supporting evidence for funding requests than clinic-based assessments.

We typically complete the home visit within two weeks of referral and deliver the final FCA report within three to four weeks. For urgent plan reviews or hospital discharge situations we can sometimes accommodate faster turnarounds - call our admin team to discuss.

How Much Does a Functional Capacity Assessment Cost?

FCA pricing is based on the NDIS Price Guide hourly rates for occupational therapy. The total cost depends on assessment complexity and report length - a straightforward FCA typically requires 4 to 6 hours of OT time (assessment plus report writing), while a complex case involving multiple home visits, environmental assessments, or consultation with other professionals may require 8 to 12 hours.

For NDIS participants, FCA costs are typically funded from the Improved Daily Living or Capacity Building Supports budget. For Home Care Package recipients, costs are drawn from your package funds. We provide a service agreement before commencing so there are no surprises.

How to Book a Functional Capacity Assessment

Booking an FCA with Ergo Therapy Group is straightforward. Support coordinators, plan managers, families, and self-managed participants can all refer directly without needing a GP referral.

1. Submit a referral via our online form, by phone, or by email
2. Our admin team confirms funding arrangements and matches you with a suitable OT
3. The OT contacts you to schedule the home visit, usually within 1-2 weeks
4. Assessment is completed at home, typically 60-90 minutes
5. Written FCA report is delivered within 2-4 weeks of the visit

NDIS Registered Provider

Ergo Therapy Group is a registered NDIS provider offering functional capacity assessments across Melbourne VIC and Western Sydney NSW. We work closely with participants, families, support coordinators, and plan managers to deliver assessments that are thorough, timely, and person-centred.

To book a functional capacity assessment, call us on 0450 874 303 or submit a referral online.