Functional Capacity Assessment for NDIS

An FCA helps understand a child’s current abilities, strengths, and areas where support may be needed. It is often used to guide NDIS planning and funding decisions.

We are more than happy to share our in-depth process guide at Enhanced Life OT for Functional Capacity Assessments if you would like to know more or enquire about having an assessment.

What an FCA covers

• Observing the child’s skills and independence in everyday tasks

• Identifying areas where the child needs support or assistance

• Highlighting strengths to build on for therapy and daily participation

• Understanding how environmental factors influence the child’s functioning

Why a child may need an FCA

• To support access to NDIS funding for therapy or support services

• To inform goal-setting and therapy planning

• To provide evidence of the child’s needs across multiple settings (home, school, community)

When to Consider a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA)

• If your child is struggling to complete daily tasks independently or consistently needs adult support

• If there are ongoing challenges with self-care, mobility, learning, social participation, or emotional regulation

• If you want clear, objective evidence to support NDIS funding for therapy or support services

• FCAs can be updated periodically, often yearly, to reflect developmental changes, progress in therapy, or new challenges

• Regular FCAs ensure that NDIS plans remain appropriate and that funding reflects current functional needs

FCA vs Standard NDIS Report

FCAs are more comprehensive, evidence-based, and specifically designed to inform planning and funding decisions, whereas standard reports may be shorter or more descriptive.

• Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA): A detailed evaluation of a child’s skills, independence, and participation across multiple areas of daily life. It provides evidence of strengths and areas of need, and is often used to justify therapy or support funding through the NDIS

• Standard NDIS Report: Often includes general information about a child’s needs or progress in therapy but may not provide detailed functional observations across all domains. It may be used for reporting outcomes rather than assessing capacity for support

How OT assesses capacity

• Observation of the child in real-life activities or play-based tasks

• Parent, teacher, and caregiver interviews for insight into daily routines

• Standardised assessments and functional checklists

• Recording performance across domains such as self-care, mobility, social participation, and learning

Domains included in an FCA

• Self-care and daily living: dressing, feeding, toileting, hygiene

• Mobility and motor skills: moving safely, coordination, endurance

• Communication and social interaction: expressing needs, interacting with peers and adults

• Learning and problem-solving: attention, planning, memory, sequencing

• Home and community participation: engaging in routines, accessing community spaces safely

• Emotional regulation and behaviour: managing frustration, anxiety, transitions