Functional Capacity Assessments for the NDIS
An FCA documents how a participant functions day to day so the NDIS planner has the evidence they need for funding decisions. Our allied health team delivers FCAs across South Australia, in-home or in clinic, and produces a detailed written report a planner can act on, in plain English rather than jargon.
Key points
- Typical turnaround 3 to 6 weeks from first appointment to final report.
- Covers daily living, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, physical, and environmental capacity.
- Delivered in-home or in clinic. In-home gives a more accurate picture for adults living independently.
- Funded through Capacity Building budgets at NDIS Price Guide rates.
What an FCA covers
A Functional Capacity Assessment looks at six domains: daily living and self care, cognitive function, communication, social and emotional capacity, physical and mobility function, and the environment in which the participant lives. The report describes what the participant can do, what they need support with, and what realistic support will look like over the next plan period.
When you need one
An FCA is most often used at plan reviews to evidence the funding required for the next period, in funding requests where the current plan does not match the participant's needs, and in complex situations where multiple supports need to be coordinated based on the same picture of function.
Our 5 step FCA process
We start with a referral and consent, then complete a structured interview with the participant and the people who know them, observe in the real settings where function happens, complete standardised assessments where they add value, and write a plain-language report with clear recommendations. The report is built for the planner, not for the file.
FCA vs FBA, what is the difference
Two acronyms that are easy to confuse. A Functional Capacity Assessment assesses overall functioning to inform NDIS funding. A Functional Behaviour Assessment analyses why specific behaviours of concern occur and is the first step in building a Behaviour Support Plan. Many participants benefit from both, and they sit alongside each other rather than overlapping.
Cost and funding
FCA pricing follows the NDIS Price Guide and is funded through Capacity Building budgets. We give you a quote before starting, so you can see how the assessment fits against your plan.
What is included
- Structured interview with participant and support network
- In-home or in-clinic observation
- Standardised assessments where helpful
- Plain-language written FCA report
- Recommendations the planner can act on
Refer for functional capacity assessment. Two minutes.
Send us the basics and we will come back to you with availability, funding fit, and next steps within one business day.