Assessments
Functional Capacity Assessment
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a comprehensive evaluation of what you are able to do in your everyday life. At Therapy Hub, FCAs are conducted by our occupational therapists and are used to support NDIS planning, return-to-work programs, and workers compensation and ICWA claims.
What Is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A Clear Picture of How You Function Day to Day
A Functional Capacity Assessment is a thorough, evidence-based evaluation conducted by an occupational therapist. It looks at how a person manages everyday tasks across a range of areas, including personal care, mobility, communication, cognition, home and community activities, and work-related tasks.
The purpose of an FCA is not to diagnose a condition, but to provide an objective, structured account of a person's current functional abilities and limitations. This information is then used by the NDIA, insurers, employers, and other stakeholders to make decisions about support, funding, and return-to-work planning.
An FCA is different from an ongoing therapy assessment. It is a standalone evaluation that results in a formal written report, and does not include the delivery of treatment or therapy.
What Is Assessed
Areas Covered in a Functional Capacity Assessment
An FCA is tailored to the purpose and context of the referral. The areas assessed will depend on your specific situation, goals, and the needs of the requesting party. A typical FCA at Therapy Hub may cover some or all of the following areas.
Personal Care and Self-Care
Ability to manage hygiene, grooming, dressing, toileting, and eating independently, and what level of assistance may be required.
Mobility and Movement
Ability to move around the home and community, including transfers, walking, climbing stairs, and use of mobility aids or equipment.
Home and Domestic Activities
Ability to manage household tasks such as meal preparation, cleaning, laundry, shopping, and managing finances and medications.
Work-Related Tasks
Ability to perform job-specific tasks, including physical demands such as lifting, carrying, sitting, and standing, as well as cognitive and interpersonal requirements of the role.
Cognitive Function
Ability to concentrate, follow instructions, manage time, make decisions, and complete multi-step tasks. Relevant for both work and daily life contexts.
Community and Social Participation
Ability to engage in community activities, manage transport, maintain social relationships, and participate in leisure and recreation.
Who Needs an FCA
When Is a Functional Capacity Assessment Required?
FCAs are requested in a range of circumstances. Here are the most common reasons clients come to Therapy Hub for a functional capacity assessment.
NDIS Access and Planning
NDIS fundedAn FCA is often requested as part of the NDIS access process, plan review, or when requesting additional funding. The NDIA uses the FCA report to understand how your disability impacts your daily functioning and to determine what supports are reasonable and necessary.
Return to Work Planning
Workers compensation and ICWAFollowing a workplace injury or motor vehicle accident, an FCA is often required to determine what tasks a person is safely able to perform and what modifications or supports may be needed to facilitate a safe return to work. The report informs suitable duties arrangements and rehabilitation planning.
The Assessment Process
What to Expect From Your FCA at Therapy Hub
Here is how the functional capacity assessment process works at Therapy Hub, from referral through to your final report.
FCAs can be requested by your insurer, employer, NDIS planner, support coordinator, GP, or legal representative. You can also self-refer. Contact our admin team on (08) 6384 7040 or use our referral form to get started. We will confirm your funding, discuss the purpose of the assessment, and arrange a suitable time and location.
Your occupational therapist will begin with a detailed interview covering your medical history, current conditions, daily routines, support needs, work history, and goals. This helps the OT understand your situation and tailor the assessment to the areas most relevant to your referral.
Your OT will observe you performing a range of tasks relevant to your daily life and, where applicable, your job role. Standardised assessment tools may also be used to gather objective data across physical, cognitive, and functional domains. Assessments may take place in the clinic, at your home, or at your workplace depending on the purpose of the referral.
With your consent, your OT may also gather information from other relevant parties such as your treating GP, other health professionals, carers, family members, or your employer. This helps build a complete and accurate picture of your functional capacity.
Following the assessment, your OT will prepare a detailed written report summarising the findings, documenting your functional abilities and limitations across each area assessed, and providing clear, evidence-based recommendations. The report is provided to you and, with your consent, to the requesting party such as your insurer, NDIS planner, or employer.
The Report
What Your FCA Report Will Include
A high quality FCA report is clear, objective, and directly linked to the purpose of the referral. Here is what you can expect from a Therapy Hub FCA report.
Background and history
A summary of your medical history, diagnosis, current conditions, and the context and purpose of the assessment.
Assessment findings
Objective findings across each functional domain assessed, including results of any standardised tools used, with clear clinical reasoning throughout.
Functional limitations
A clear account of the areas where your disability or injury impacts your ability to function, with supporting evidence and clinical observations.
Functional strengths
Documentation of the areas where you are functioning well or independently, providing a balanced picture for planners, insurers, and employers.
Recommendations
Evidence-based recommendations for supports, therapy, assistive technology, workplace modifications, or suitable duties, tailored to the purpose of the referral.
Goal alignment
Where relevant, recommendations are linked to your goals and the specific requirements of the NDIS, your insurer, or your employer.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an FCA take?
The time taken to complete an FCA will vary depending on the complexity of your situation and the scope of the referral. Your OT will give you an indication of the expected time when booking.
Where does the assessment take place?
FCAs can take place at any of our four Perth clinic locations, at your home, or at your workplace, depending on what is most relevant to your referral. For return-to-work assessments, attending the workplace is often preferable to observe job-specific tasks in context.
Who can refer me for an FCA?
Referrals can come from your insurer, employer, NDIS planner or support coordinator, GP, legal representative, or yourself. For workers compensation and ICWA referrals, insurer approval is required before the assessment can proceed.
How long will it take to receive my report?
Report turnaround times vary depending on the complexity of the assessment and the requirements of the requesting party. Our admin team can advise on expected timeframes when booking. If you have a specific deadline, such as an NDIS plan review or legal matter, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate this.
Is an FCA the same as ongoing OT therapy?
No. An FCA is a standalone assessment that results in a written report. It does not involve the delivery of treatment or therapy. If you also need ongoing OT support, this would be arranged separately and may require a separate referral or funding allocation.
Do I need an FCA for my NDIS plan?
An FCA is not always required for NDIS access or planning, but it can be very helpful in providing clear, objective evidence of your support needs. Your NDIS planner, LAC, or support coordinator can advise whether an FCA would strengthen your application or review. Our OTs are experienced in preparing reports that meet NDIA requirements.
Get Started
Book a Functional Capacity Assessment at Therapy Hub
Our experienced occupational therapists provide thorough, clearly written FCA reports for NDIS, workers compensation, and ICWA purposes. Contact our admin team to discuss your referral and arrange an assessment.
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm AWST. Referrals from insurers, employers, planners, and legal representatives welcome.