What is an FCA?

What a Functional Capacity Assessment Covers

A functional capacity assessment (FCA) is a detailed occupational therapy assessment of how you manage everyday life. It looks at what you can do, where you need help and what supports would make the biggest difference. The report gives the NDIA the evidence it needs to make decisions about your access or funding.

An FCA looks across the six functional areas the NDIS considers:

  • Mobility: moving around the home and community, transfers and getting in and out of the car
  • Self-care: showering, dressing, eating, toileting and managing health
  • Communication: being understood and understanding others
  • Social interaction: relationships and taking part in the community
  • Learning: learning and using new skills and information
  • Self-management: planning, decision-making, money and running a household
When you need one

When an FCA Is Useful

New fundingNDIS access requests or requests for new supports
Plan reassessmentShowing what has changed and what support you need now
Change in circumstancesAfter a hospital stay, a decline or a change at home
Home and living supportsEvidence for SIL, SDA or ILO requests (quoted separately, as these take longer)
The process

How Our FCA Process Works

  1. Before the visit: we gather existing reports and talk with you, your family or your support coordinator about the purpose of the assessment.
  2. Home assessment: the OT visits you at home over 2 to 3 sessions (about 5 hours in total) to observe everyday tasks, ask questions and complete standardised assessments.
  3. Standardised tools: where appropriate, we use recognised tools such as WHODAS 2.0, Vineland-3 or LSP-16 to measure function.
  4. Report: a clear, NDIS-ready report, usually 25 to 30 pages, linking your functional needs to specific recommendations such as support hours, therapy, equipment or home modifications. Reports are usually delivered within 2 weeks of the final session and always within 6 weeks.
  5. Review with you: we go through the report with you before it is submitted.

Clear costs upfront: FCAs are billed hourly at the NDIS occupational therapy price limit ($193.99 per hour in 2026–27). Most take 10 to 15 hours in total (about 5 hours of assessment plus report writing), which is roughly $1,940 to $2,910 plus travel. We give you a written estimate before we start and if the case turns out to be more complex, we check with you and provide a revised quote before using any extra hours.

For support coordinators

Referring for an FCA

Support coordinators and plan managers can refer directly. Tell us the purpose of the FCA, any deadlines for a plan reassessment and what funding is available and we will confirm hours and timing. Because we have no waitlist and reports are usually ready within 2 weeks, we can complete FCAs ahead of plan reassessment dates. Read our FCA guide →

Download our OT referral guide: our NDIS OT services with links, when to refer and FCA times and costs. Download PDF (1 page) →

Service area

Where We Provide Functional Capacity Assessments

Our occupational therapists visit clients at home across 302 Melbourne suburbs. Regular therapy covers suburbs within about a 30-minute drive of Templestowe Lower, from the north-east and east to the CBD, Clayton and Dandenong. Functional capacity assessments and other assessments are available across all our service areas.

Templestowe LowerDoncasterBox HillHeidelbergElthamKewHawthornRichmondMelbourne CBDPrestonBundooraSouth MorangRingwoodGlen WaverleyClaytonDandenongAll OT service areas →
FAQ

Functional Capacity Assessment FAQs

How long does a functional capacity assessment take?
Most FCAs take 10 to 15 hours in total: about 5 hours of assessment across 2 to 3 home sessions, plus report writing. The report is usually ready within 2 weeks of the final session and always within 6 weeks.
How much does an FCA cost?
FCAs are billed hourly at the NDIS occupational therapy price limit ($193.99 per hour in 2026–27). A typical 10 to 15 hour FCA costs about $1,940 to $2,910 plus travel. You get a written estimate before we start.
How is an FCA funded?
If you have an NDIS plan, an FCA is usually funded from Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living Skills (Category 15). If you are applying for the NDIS, the FCA is usually self-funded.
What should I prepare for an FCA?
Have any existing medical or therapy reports ready, think about a typical day and the tasks you find hardest and have someone who knows you well available if you would like them involved.
Do you have a waitlist for FCAs?
No. We can book the assessment as soon as your details and funding are confirmed, which helps when a plan reassessment is coming up.
Can an FCA support a housing or SIL request?
Yes. An FCA is often used as evidence for supported independent living (SIL), SDA or other home and living requests.