Functional Capacity Assessments
Functional Capacity Assessments
Functional Capacity Assessments
Through the functional capacity assessment, our occupational therapists evaluate an individual’s communication, mobility, self-care, social inclusion, learning, and work to determine their functional capacity. The Functional Capacity Assessment plays an important role in developing an NDIS plan that meets an individual’s needs and aspirations.
How We Help
At Soaring Together, functional capacity assessments are person-centred; we use interviews, observation, standardised tools, and support from families and professionals to create detailed functional capacity assessments. Our functional capacity assessments provide detailed reports to help ensure that NDIS funding aligns with an individual’s current and future needs.
- An assessment report can help to support:
- NDIS access requests
- NDIS plan reviews
- Changes in a person’s circumstances
- Advocacy and appeal
What’s Included in a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA)
Functional Capacity Assessments at Soaring Together offer thorough assessments of NDIS participants’ abilities to perform daily living activities as well as access supports within their community. The assessment process considers each individual’s goals, strengths, and weaknesses in relation to the NDIS. Our goal is to help individuals develop a personal plan that will enable them to be independent and achieve their individual goals, thus allowing them to become community members.
Personal Care & Daily Living
- Ability to manage personal hygiene, dressing, toileting, and grooming
- Medication management and adherence to daily routines
- Meal preparation, shopping, and household tasks
Physical Function & Mobility
- Use of mobility aids, transfers, and navigating stairs
- Falls risk assessment and safe seating solutions
- Home environment assessment for accessibility and modifications
Cognitive, Communication & Emotional Skills
- Memory, attention, problem-solving, and decision-making
- Communication capabilities, including assistive technology needs
- Emotional regulation, social participation, and coping strategies
Work, Education & Community Participation
- Capacity to engage in work, study, or volunteer activities
- Ability to use public transport and other community resources
- Participation in recreational and non-vocational activities
Social, Medical & Environmental Context
- Review of medical and treatment history relevant to function
- Assessment of social support networks and relationships
- Evaluation of home environment and daily living context
Personalised Reports & Recommendations
Every FCA includes a detailed, individualised report outlining strengths, limitations, and tailored recommendations. These reports are designed to support NDIS plan reviews, funding applications, workplace accommodations, or rehabilitation planning.
What Our Reports Recommend
Each report includes practical, NDIS-aligned recommendations for:
- Care support and personal assistance
- Capacity-building supports (e.g. therapies, coaching)
- Assistive technology, aids, and equipment
- Environmental/home modifications
- Task adaptations and strategies
- Rehabilitation and allied health referrals
Collaborative Psychosocial Functional Capacity Assessments
At Soaring Together, we provide a unique and integrated Psychosocial Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) that combines the specialist skills of a qualified Occupational Therapist and a Social Worker.
This co-designed assessment model ensures a truly holistic understanding of a participant’s functional abilities, drawing from both clinical and psychosocial perspectives. By working together, our professionals deliver one cohesive and evidence-based report that supports participants in accessing appropriate NDIS-funded supports.
Captures both physical and psychosocial barriers to participation
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Incorporates validated tools
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Provides a single, streamlined report NDIS ready, clear, and comprehensive
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Tailored recommendations that reflect both functional needs and participant goals
Why choose a collaborative assessment?
NDIS participants often experience complex challenges that span both physical and mental health domains. By combining disciplines, we’re able to capture the full scope of functional impact, ensuring that no support need is overlooked. Our assessments provide strong, multidimensional evidence for NDIS access, plan reviews, and support justifications.
Let’s Talk
If you’re ready for support that’s personal, empowering, and built around you, we’d love to be part of your journey.
Reach out to Soaring Together and let’s talk about how we can help you live life your way.
FAQs
Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is an assessment of the physical and cognitive capabilities of an individual as they relate to their ability to participate in various activities. At Soaring Together, we offer FCA services using NDIS funding to assist in supporting NDIS participants with planning their accommodation and other support needs for therapy and employment.
Physical FCA: The most common types of FCA include Physical FCA and Cognitive FCA. Physical FCA measures your strength, flexibility, and endurance as well as the overall level of your physical capabilities for rehabilitation, Return-to-Work planning and workplace adjustments.
Cognitive FCA: It measures your memory, attention, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, and is used when a neurologic condition or brain injury has affected your cognitive function so that it interferes with your ability to perform normal daily activities or hold down a job.
- Medical History Review: Understand past injuries, chronic conditions, or treatments affecting current function.
- Physical Examination: Assess posture, joint movement, strength, and motor skills.
- Functional Testing: Evaluate tasks like lifting, bending, reaching, or meal prep.
- Cognitive Evaluation: Test memory, focus, and problem-solving abilities.
An Accredited Allied Health Professional will conduct a Functional Capacity Assessment either as an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist, in the case of a physical assessment, or a neuropsychologist for cognitive assessments.
- After a major injury or surgery
- Experiencing cognitive decline or neurological conditions
- Planning return-to-work or workplace accommodations
- Preparing for disability benefits or NDIS plan reviews
- Gather medical records, test results, or previous assessments
- Bring any assistive devices (glasses, hearing aids, mobility aids)
- Wear comfortable clothing for physical assessments
- Communicate openly about pain or limitations
- Initial Consultation: Discuss goals, medical history, and current challenges with the assessor.
- Assessment Procedures: Includes physical exams, functional testing, and cognitive evaluations tailored to the participant.
- Reporting and Results: A detailed report outlines abilities, limitations, and recommendations for supports, therapy, or workplace adjustments.
Results highlight strengths and areas needing support, helping NDIS participants, caregivers, or employers make informed decisions about accommodations, therapy, or rehabilitation.
- Workplace Accommodations: Identify equipment, task, or schedule modifications.
- Disability Claims: Provide objective evidence for insurance or government applications.
- Rehabilitation Planning: Guide therapists in creating targeted recovery programs.
- Return-to-Work Decisions: Determine safe work duties, hours, and supports.
Our team can help NDIS participants plan for work, daily living, or community participation. We provide clear guidance, practical recommendations, and connect you to allied health or NDIS services.
