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NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments
Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA)
A Functional Capacity Assessment can assist to translate a diagnosis into practical terms. It can set out what a person can do independently, what they need help with, and what support is already in place.
Purpose: evidence-based assessment to understand and assess how a person’s disability affects their everyday functioning, and what support they need.
What are they used for?
Functional Capacity Assessment
Who completes your assessment?
At Hively Health, Functional Capacity Assessments are completed by registered psychologists and qualified allied health clinicians experienced in disability assessment and NDIS reporting. Every assessment is grounded in clinical observation and standardised tools, not a questionnaire alone.
What’s involved?
- Referral documents and specialist letters
- Previous assessments and reports
- Clinical interview with the participant and, where appropriate, a support person
- Direct observation
- Standardised assessment tools selected to suit the person
- Clinical interpretation and comprehensive FCA reporting
*Testing times may vary depending on client’s needs
Assessment Packages
A sound FCA is built from more than one source. Your clinician combines information from documents, interviews, direct observation and standardised assessment tools to develop a comprehensive picture of functioning.
Letters and information from treating doctors and specialists.
Existing reports are reviewed to understand history, prior findings and support needs.
A clinical interview is completed with the participant and, where appropriate, a family member or support person.
The clinician observes functioning during the assessment and considers how support is provided in practice.
Tools are selected to suit the participant and are interpreted alongside the broader clinical picture.
Why the full picture matters
Self-reported scores can sometimes understate difficulty. A person supported daily by family may not experience a task as difficult because someone else is already doing part of it, and some people may not recognise internal cues such as hunger, fatigue or rising distress. Where clinical judgement differs from a test score, the FCA explains why so the evidence is clear.
The six functional domains
An FCA considers functioning across six domains. Together, they provide a domain-by-domain picture of everyday capacity and support need.
Communication
Social interaction
Forming and maintaining relationships, understanding social rules, managing conflict, recognising unsafe situations and people, and taking part in the community.
Learning
Taking in and retaining new information, following instructions, applying skills in different settings, reading, writing, money and time.
Mobility
Moving around the home, getting out into the community, using transport, navigating familiar and unfamiliar places, and road safety.
Self-care
Showering, grooming, dental care, dressing, preparing food, managing medication, and recognising and responding to body cues.
Self-management
Planning and starting tasks, organising routines, managing money, attending appointments, emotional regulation, decision-making and household tasks.
Functional capacity rating scale
No impairment
Current supports and recommendations
The report makes existing supports visible and connects recommendations to the participant’s assessed needs.
Formal supports
The report records formal supports, including funded services and clinicians, so the existing support environment is clear.
Informal supports
The report also records informal support from family, friends and community. Where family members are providing support beyond what would ordinarily be expected, the FCA can identify the level of assistance and whether that arrangement is sustainable.
Recommendations and risk
Recommendations usually address capacity building, risk reduction and participation. Each recommendation is supported by a rationale and may include a suggested frequency and expected outcome.
The report can also set out the likely impact if recommended supports are not put in place, including risks to the individual.
Formal support
informal support
Recommendations
and risks
What the assessment may recommend
- Support work for daily living assistance and community access
- Occupational therapy
- Speech pathology
- Psychology
- Behaviour support where behaviours of concern or restrictive practices are present
- Assistive technology
- Self-paced learning resources
Funding your assessment through the NDIS
A Functional Capacity Assessment may be funded through an NDIS plan or arranged privately. If you are already an NDIS participant, your support coordinator or plan manager can confirm what your specific plan allows. If you are applying for access, or you are not with the NDIS, the assessment can be completed as a private service.
Not everyone does, but an FCA can provide strong evidence when your support needs have changed or your current plan does not reflect your day-to-day functioning. It gives your planner a clear, domain-by-domain picture of capacity and risk.
A registered psychologist or another qualified allied health professional. At Hively Health, FCAs are completed by clinicians experienced in disability assessment and NDIS reporting.
Funding depends on your individual plan. Your plan manager or support coordinator can confirm what your specific plan allows. If you are not with the NDIS, the assessment can also be completed privately.
An FCA looks broadly at how disability affects everyday functioning across six domains, to inform the supports a person needs. A Functional Behavioural Assessment focuses specifically on why a behaviour of concern is happening, so behaviour support strategies can be developed.
Yes. Hively Health services wider Brisbane and provides assessment in clinic at East Brisbane, in the home or community, and by telehealth.
Greater Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.
Telehealth available.
Talk to the Hively Health team about a Functional Capacity Assessment for an NDIS access request, plan review or a specific support need. We service wider Brisbane, with assessment available in clinic at East Brisbane, in the home or community, and by telehealth.
Ready to get started?
To book an initial consultation or discuss whether PBS is right for you or your participant, call 1300 11 4769 or get in touch online.
