NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments

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Clear, Comprehensive Assessments That Support Better Planning

A Functional Capacity Assessment helps build a clear picture of how a person manages everyday activities at home, at school, at work, and in the community. At Active Therapy Services, we take the time to understand each person’s strengths, challenges, routines, and goals so our recommendations genuinely reflect real life.

Our Adelaide based occupational therapists combine clinical expertise with a practical, person centered approach. Every assessment is completed with care, clarity, and respect, ensuring the final report is easy to understand and genuinely useful for NDIS planning, reviews, and access requests. Our focus is simple, advocate for the supports that will make the biggest difference in daily life.

All assessments are completed by registered Occupational Therapists with experience in NDIS reporting.

  • Clear insight into daily strengths and challenges
  • Evidence based recommendations for NDIS planning
  • Practical guidance to support independence
Child celebrating a Jenga achievement with a supportive Adelaide occupational therapist
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What We Assess

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Daily Living & Independence Support

We assess key daily living skills and recommend supports that promote independence across home, school, and community settings

  • Self care skills such as dressing, hygiene, and mealtime routines
  • Household tasks and ability to follow daily schedules
  • Community participation and navigating everyday environments
  • Strengths and barriers impacting safe, independent living
“Children reading together on the floor and sharing a moment of learning and curiosity

Cognitive, Social & Emotional Skills

We explore the cognitive and social emotional skills that influence learning, relationships, behaviour, and participation throughout daily life.

  • Attention, memory, planning, and problem solving
  • Social interaction, communication, and engagement with others
  • Emotional regulation and coping with daily demands
  • Behavioural patterns that impact routines and participation
Adult and child playing with toy cars on the floor during a fun, supportive therapy activity

Motor Skills & Sensory Processing

We look at how physical abilities and sensory needs affect mobility, comfort, and participation in everyday activities across daily life.

  • Functional, balance, transfers, and safe movement
  • Fine and gross motor skills that support daily activities and independence
  • Sensory processing preferences and their impact on behaviour
  • Assistive technology or equipment needs to support function

What's Included In The Assessment

Our Functional Capacity Assessments are structured to provide a complete, accurate picture of a person’s abilities, challenges, and support needs. Every assessment is completed with care, clarity, and a strong focus on real life function.

Comprehensive Assessment Session

We take the time to understand daily routines, strengths, challenges, and goals across home, school, work, and community settings with care.

  • Observation of everyday tasks and functional abilities
  • Discussion with the participant, family, or support team
  • Review of relevant reports, history, and current supports
  • Identification of barriers impacting independence and safety

Standardised & Functional Testing

We use evidence based tools and practical assessments to ensure our recommendations are accurate and aligned with NDIS requirements.

  • Standardised assessments used where appropriate for accurate reporting
  • Functional task analysis across key life areas to understand daily abilities
  • Sensory, cognitive, and physical screening to identify support needs
  • Clear interpretation of results in everyday terms for easy understanding

Clear, Comprehensive Functional Capacity Report

Your final report is written in clear, accessible language and provides strong evidence to support NDIS planning, reviews, or access requests.

  • Summary of functional strengths and challenges
  • Impact on daily life, participation, and independence
  • Evidence based recommendations for supports and funding
  • Assistive technology, therapy, and environmental suggestions

Benefits of NDIS Assessments

Clear Pathways to Next Steps

Easy to follow recommendations for therapy, equipment, and environmental supports.

Support for Families and Teams

Guidance that helps everyone understand how to best support daily life and long term goals.

Real Life Strategies That Help

Practical, real life strategies and supports that improve independence and participation.

Strong Evidence for NDIS Planning

Reports written clearly supporting funding decisions, reviews and a range of access requests.

Clear Insight Into Daily Functioning

A detailed understanding of strengths, challenges, and how they impact everyday routines.

A Holistic View of the Whole Person

Assessments that consider physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and sensory needs together.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a detailed occupational therapy assessment that looks at how a person manages everyday activities at home, in the community, and in their routines. It identifies strengths, challenges, and the supports needed to participate safely and independently.

An FCA provides clear, evidencebased information to help the NDIS understand what supports will make the biggest difference in daily life.

FCA’s are completed by our registered Occupational Therapists with experience in NDIS reporting and functional assessments.
Your therapist will take the time to understand your goals, observe daily tasks, and gather information from you, your family, and any support people involved.

The assessment session usually takes 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the person’s needs, environment, and the complexity of daily routines. After the session, your therapist completes a comprehensive written report for the NDIS. This report is detailed and can take additional time to prepare, ensuring it accurately reflects your functional abilities and support needs.

The NDIS uses an FCA to help determine:

  • What supports you need to participate in daily life

  • Whether current supports are meeting your needs

  • What funding may be required for assistive technology, therapy, or home/environmental supports

  • How your functional abilities have changed over time

A well written FCA provides clear evidence to support planning meetings, reviews, and access requests.

You don’t need to prepare anything special, but the following can help your therapist understand your needs more clearly.

  • Any recent reports or letters from health professionals

  • Your NDIS goals or plan (if you have one)

  • Information about your daily routines and challenges

  • Any equipment or assistive technology you currently use

  • A support person, if you’d like someone with you

Most importantly, bring yourself, your therapist will guide the rest.

Child celebrating a block‑building achievement with a supportive Adelaide occupational therapist
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Ready to Book Your Assessment?

We’re here to help you access the supports that make a real difference

If you’re looking for a clear, comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessment for NDIS planning, reviews, or access requests, our team is ready to support you. We take the time to understand your goals, routines, and challenges so your report truly reflects your everyday life.

We support participants across Adelaide and surrounding regions.

Get in touch today to book an appointment or ask a question, we are here to help.

Start Your Assessment Today