Functional Capacity Assessments
Back2You Therapy provides in-home Functional Capacity Assessments for NDIS participants across Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Our occupational therapists assess how disability affects everyday activities, mobility, personal care, self-management and participation, then provide a clear report describing current function, support needs and clinically relevant recommendations.
Assessing the Areas That Affect Everyday Life
How disability affects accessing and participating in everyday community life.
A Clear Picture of How Disability Affects Daily Life
A Functional Capacity Assessment looks at what a person can currently do, where they require assistance and how their disability affects everyday activities.
It is broader than looking at a diagnosis alone.
Two people with the same diagnosis may have very different:
- mobility
- personal-care needs
- fatigue
- cognitive function
- equipment
- home environments
- informal supports
- community access
- levels of assistance
The assessment brings this information together to create a clearer picture of the participant’s current functional capacity and support needs.
The NDIS describes an FCA as an official assessment of a person’s ability to perform daily tasks at home, work and in the community. NDIS
Assess Function Where Everyday Life Actually Happens
An in-home assessment gives the occupational therapist context that is difficult to reproduce inside a clinic.
Rather than asking someone to describe a problem, the OT can see the activity and environment directly.
This may include:
- getting in and out of bed
- transferring to the toilet or shower
- moving through hallways and doorways
- using a wheelchair or mobility aid
- preparing food
- accessing household items
- using existing equipment
- completing personal care
- navigating entrances and steps
- managing a normal daily routine
- the assistance provided by family or support workers
This helps distinguish between what someone may be able to do in an ideal environment and what actually happens during everyday life.
What Does an FCA Assess?
The NDIS uses six functional domains when considering how disability affects a person’s everyday life. NDIS
Mobility
How the participant moves around their home and community.
This may include:
- bed mobility
- standing
- transfers
- walking
- stairs
- wheelchair mobility
- mobility aids
- accessing the community
Self-Care
How the participant manages personal activities such as:
- showering
- dressing
- grooming
- toileting
- eating
- managing personal hygiene
Self-Management
The participant’s ability to organise and manage everyday life.
This may include:
- planning routines
- making decisions
- organising appointments
- managing responsibilities
- problem solving
- managing health-related routines
Communication
How the participant understands and expresses information using their usual communication methods.
Learning
The ability to understand, remember and apply new information or develop new skills.
Social Interaction
How disability affects interactions with other people and participation in social situations.
Not every participant will have significant difficulty across all six areas. The FCA focuses on the domains relevant to the person’s disability and circumstances. NDIS
Understanding What a Typical Day Requires
An FCA should look beyond what someone can do during a short appointment.
Our occupational therapists consider the activities required across a normal day and the assistance needed to complete them.
This may include:
- getting out of bed
- showering
- dressing
- preparing meals
- eating
- household tasks
- managing a daily schedule
- using transport
- attending appointments
- engaging in work, study or community activities
- getting ready for bed
We consider not only whether a task can technically be completed, but also factors such as safety, time, fatigue, prompting and assistance.
How Does Disability Affect Mobility?
Mobility is more than whether somebody can walk.
The assessment may consider:
- moving in bed
- sit-to-stand
- transferring between surfaces
- walking around the home
- using stairs
- using mobility aids
- wheelchair mobility
- getting in and out of vehicles
- accessing the community
- the amount of physical assistance required
Current NDIS guidance specifically includes bed mobility, transfers, walking, stairs, community access and mobility aids when describing functional evidence for mobility. NDIS
Where appropriate, the FCA may also identify whether further physiotherapy, assistive technology or environmental assessment should be considered.
What Assistance Is Needed With Personal Activities?
The occupational therapist may assess how the participant manages:
- showering
- dressing
- grooming
- toileting
- eating
- personal hygiene
- transfers involved in personal care
- equipment used during these activities
We also consider the amount and type of assistance required.
For example:
Does the participant need physical assistance?
Prompting?
Supervision?
Equipment setup?
Extra time?
Help only when fatigue increases?
This level of detail provides a more accurate picture of everyday function than simply recording whether a person can or cannot complete the task.
Function Is Not Only Physical
Where relevant to the participant’s disability, an FCA may consider cognitive and self-management difficulties that affect everyday activities.
This may include:
- memory
- attention
- planning
- organising
- sequencing tasks
- problem solving
- decision-making
- managing appointments
- completing routines
- managing health needs
- recognising risks
- initiating activities
These difficulties can have a significant effect on the amount of prompting, supervision or support required even when the participant has the physical ability to complete an activity.
How Does Disability Affect Community Access?
Functional capacity also includes the person’s ability to participate outside the home.
Depending on the participant, we may consider:
- attending appointments
- shopping
- social activities
- recreation
- education
- work
- public or private transport
- navigating unfamiliar environments
- community mobility
- assistance required from another person
The NDIS considers functional evidence relating to participation in social and vocational activities as part of understanding the impact of disability. NDIS
Understanding What Makes Everyday Function Possible
An FCA does not assess the participant in isolation.
The occupational therapist also considers the supports that currently make activities possible.
This may include:
Informal Support
Assistance from family members, friends or carers.
Paid Support
Support workers and other funded services.
Assistive Technology
Equipment used for mobility, transfers, personal care or everyday activities.
Home Environment
Whether entrances, bathrooms, bedrooms or other areas affect function.
Therapy
Existing occupational therapy, physiotherapy or other allied health support.
This helps clarify what the participant can do independently, what they can do with support and what remains difficult despite current supports.
A Functional Capacity Assessment From Referral to Report
Referral Review
We review the reason for the assessment, participant details, diagnosis, current supports and relevant NDIS information.
Initial Discussion
The occupational therapist talks with the participant and, where appropriate, family members, carers or support workers about current function and support needs.
In-Home Assessment
The OT observes relevant activities and considers the participant’s home environment, equipment and actual routines.
Functional Assessment
Depending on the referral, the therapist may assess areas such as mobility, personal care, daily living, self-management and community participation.
Relevant Assessment Tools
Appropriate standardised tools may be used where clinically relevant to provide additional functional evidence.
Review Existing Information
Relevant medical, allied health and support information can be considered where available and appropriate.
Clinical Analysis
The occupational therapist brings the information together to understand the functional impact of the participant’s disability.
FCA Report
The findings and clinically relevant recommendations are documented in a Functional Capacity Assessment report.
More Than One Source of Evidence
Depending on the participant and purpose of the assessment, the occupational therapist may consider:
- participant interview
- clinical observation
- observation of functional tasks
- standardised assessment tools
- information from family or carers
- support-worker information
- previous occupational therapy reports
- physiotherapy reports
- specialist reports
- medical information
- existing equipment
- current support arrangements
- previous assessments
Current NDIS guidance recognises allied health reports, standardised assessments, observed function and information from participants, families and carers as relevant sources of functional evidence. NDIS
Turning the Assessment Into a Useful Report
The report should clearly explain how the participant’s disability affects everyday function.
Depending on the assessment, it may include:
- relevant background information
- current living situation
- current supports
- functional abilities
- areas where assistance is required
- mobility
- personal care
- daily living
- cognition and self-management where relevant
- community participation
- equipment currently used
- environmental barriers
- functional risks
- assessment findings
- clinically relevant recommendations
Recommendations may relate to areas such as therapy, assistive technology or environmental modifications where supported by the assessment findings.
The report provides functional evidence and professional recommendations. Funding decisions remain with the NDIA or relevant funder.
Who Is a Functional Capacity Assessment For?
An FCA may be requested when a participant or their support team needs a clearer and more current picture of everyday function.
This may include situations where:
- functional needs have changed
- support requirements have increased or decreased
- an updated assessment is required
- there has been a significant change in circumstances
- current reports no longer reflect the participant’s function
- equipment or environmental needs are being considered
- the participant is preparing for an NDIS planning or reassessment process
- support coordinators require clearer functional evidence
An FCA is not required for everyone to be eligible for the NDIS. The NDIS states that an FCA can provide useful evidence of how permanent impairment affects functional capacity and what supports may be required. NDIS
Functional Assessment Based on the Person, Not Only the Diagnosis
Back2You Therapy works with people living with neurological conditions, physical disability and complex functional needs.
Relevant presentations may include:
Fatigue, mobility, personal care and changing support requirements.
Mobility, transfers, daily activities and changing functional needs.
Mobility, upper-limb function, personal care, cognition and everyday activities.
Transfers, wheelchair use, personal care, equipment and home access.
Changing mobility, equipment, personal care and support requirements.
Daily activities, mobility, equipment, personal care and participation.
Acquired Brain Injury
Mobility, cognition, routines, self-management and participation.
The FCA itself remains individualised. A diagnosis does not automatically determine the person’s functional capacity or recommended supports.
Do You Need an FCA or a Different OT Assessment?
Not every referral requires a full Functional Capacity Assessment.
Functional Capacity Assessment
A broad assessment of how disability affects multiple areas of everyday life.
Assistive Technology Assessment
Focused specifically on equipment required to address a functional need.
Home Modification Assessment
Focused on barriers within the physical home environment and potential changes.
Wheelchair & Seating Assessment
Focused on mobility, seating, positioning and related equipment needs.
Ongoing Occupational Therapy
Therapy addressing specific daily activities or functional goals over time.
If you are unsure which assessment is appropriate, contact our team before submitting the referral.
Information That Can Help Your Occupational Therapist
You do not need to have every document available before making a referral.
Where available, useful information may include:
- current NDIS plan
- previous FCA reports
- previous OT reports
- physiotherapy reports
- specialist or medical reports
- information about current supports
- support-worker schedules
- current equipment
- details of recent changes in function
- specific questions the participant or support coordinator wants addressed
Providing relevant information early can help the therapist understand the purpose and scope of the assessment.
Make the Purpose of the FCA Clear From the Start
Back2You Therapy accepts FCA referrals from participants, families, support coordinators and other professionals.
When referring, it is helpful to include:
- participant diagnosis
- reason the FCA is required
- areas of current functional concern
- current living situation
- funding arrangement
- key support contacts
- existing reports
- upcoming planning or reassessment dates where relevant
- any specific questions the assessment needs to address
Referral Review
We review the information before allocating the assessment.
Clinician Matching
The participant is matched with an occupational therapist suited to the assessment requirements and service area.
Communication
With participant consent, the OT can communicate with relevant members of the participant’s support team.
Reporting
The report is based on the assessment findings and the functional evidence available.
Functional Capacity Assessments Completed by Occupational Therapists
Senior Occupational Therapist
Emily’s experience includes NDIS assessments, neurological rehabilitation, assistive technology, adaptive techniques, home modification recommendations and comprehensive assessment and reporting.
Functional Capacity Assessments Across Brisbane & the Gold Coast
Back2You Therapy provides in-home Functional Capacity Assessments across South East Queensland.
Brisbane
Our occupational therapists complete in-home functional assessments across Brisbane, allowing the assessment to consider the participant’s actual routines, equipment and home environment.
Gold Coast
We provide in-home FCAs across the northern, central and southern Gold Coast for eligible referrals.
How Are Functional Capacity Assessments Funded?
NDIS
Functional Capacity Assessments may be completed for NDIS participants where the assessment is appropriate to the participant’s circumstances and available funding.
The assessment provides functional evidence and clinical recommendations. The NDIA determines what supports are funded. NDIS
Private
Private FCA referrals may also be considered where appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A Functional Capacity Assessment evaluates how a person’s disability affects their ability to perform everyday activities at home, work and in the community.
Who completes an FCA at Back2You Therapy?
Back2You’s Functional Capacity Assessments are completed by occupational therapists with relevant clinical experience.
What areas does an FCA assess?
The NDIS identifies six main functional domains: mobility, self-care, self-management, communication, learning and social interaction. The assessment may also consider everyday participation, equipment, environment and current supports where relevant. NDIS
Does everyone on the NDIS need an FCA?
No. An FCA is not required for everyone to be eligible for the NDIS, but it can provide evidence about how permanent impairment affects functional capacity and support needs. NDIS
Can the FCA be completed at home?
Yes. Back2You provides in-home assessments so the occupational therapist can understand the participant’s everyday environment, routines and equipment.
Can my family member, carer or support worker be involved?
Yes, where appropriate and with the participant’s consent. Their knowledge of everyday support needs can provide useful context.
Do you use standardised assessments?
Appropriate standardised tools may be used where clinically relevant. The assessment may also involve interviews, observation, existing reports and assessment of everyday activities.
How long does an FCA take?
The time required varies depending on the participant, complexity and assessment scope. Current NDIS information notes that FCAs can vary significantly in duration, so the therapist should confirm the likely process before the assessment begins. NDIS
Will an FCA guarantee more NDIS funding?
No. An FCA provides functional evidence and clinical recommendations. Decisions about NDIS funding are made by the NDIA.
Can an FCA recommend equipment or home modifications?
Where supported by the assessment findings, recommendations may identify the need for further assessment or supports such as assistive technology, therapy or environmental modifications. NDIS
Do you complete FCAs in Brisbane?
Yes. Back2You provides in-home Functional Capacity Assessments across Brisbane, subject to clinician availability.
Do you complete FCAs on the Gold Coast?
Yes. In-home Functional Capacity Assessments are available across the Gold Coast, subject to clinician availability.
How do I make an FCA referral?
Submit the Back2You Therapy referral form and provide the reason for the FCA, participant information and any relevant existing reports.
Need a Clearer Picture of Current Functional Needs?
Tell us why the assessment is required, which areas of everyday function are causing concern and when the report is needed.
Our team can review the referral and determine the appropriate next step.
Prefer to talk? 1300 858 555