Functional Capacity Assessment
Evidence-based FCAs, built for your participant
Detailed, evidence-based Functional Capacity Assessments that document how disability affects daily life, and the supports that help.
A weak FCA costs more than you think
'You've done everything right.'
Then the plan comes back underfunded, and you're left wondering why. Most of the time, it comes down to the FCA. A generic, templated, or rushed assessment leaves critical needs invisible to the NDIA. And once the plan is approved, fighting it takes months.
Our OTs know exactly what the NDIA needs to see to understand the support your participant actually requires.
Plan reviews happen on a fixed cycle. If you miss this window with an inadequate FCA, your participant could be underfunded for another 12 months or more.
Get your free guide to Functional Capacity Assessments
- Learn how a well-evidenced FCA gives the NDIA a clear picture of the support your participant needs
- A clear breakdown of what happens during the assessment, step by step
- Understand how your FCA shapes your plan before your next review
When you refer to CARED for an FCA, you unlock an entire allied health team
Most FCA providers stop at the assessment. CARED is different. One referral connects your participant to eight specialist services, so when the OT identifies a speech or psychology need, that support is already in the room.
Occupational Therapy
Behaviour Support
Psychology
Neuropsychology
Speech Therapy
Physiotherapy
Exercise Physiology
Dietetics
No re-referrals. No repeating the story.
Coordinated, compassionate care under one roof.
Ready to refer a participant?
Unlock the full allied health team in one referral.
What makes a CARED FCA different
Not all FCAs are created equal. An NDIA-ready assessment goes far beyond a checklist; it tells the full story of how a disability impacts daily life, and makes a clear, justified case for the support requested.
Specific, not generic
We document real examples. No more, 'participant requires support with daily tasks', but instead we ask: what tasks, how often, and with what level of assistance.
Linked to NDIS goals
Every recommendation is tied directly to the participant's stated goals and the relevant support category.
Risk and functional impact
We document what happens without support, including safety risks, carer burnout, and impact across all life domains.
Justified budgets
Funding requests include frequency, rationale, and evidence, so the NDIA has what it needs to make a decision.
Common red flags in FCAs that lead to underfunded plans:
- Vague language with no participant-specific examples or support rationale
- No link between recommendations and the participant's NDIS goals
- Missing risk assessment or consequences of not receiving support
- Focuses only on best-day functioning, not real-day variability
What a CARED FCA covers
Our OTs assess functional capacity across every life domain the NDIA evaluates, producing a comprehensive, evidence-based report that stands up at plan review.
Mobility and physical function, movement in home and community
Self-care, personal hygiene, dressing, eating, toileting
Communication, expression, comprehension, AAC needs
Self-management, medications, finances, scheduling
Learning and cognition, memory, concentration, following instructions
Social interaction and emotional regulation
Home environment and safety risk assessment
Recommendations by support category (Core, Capacity Building, Capital)
Justification for SIL, SDA, assistive technology, and home modifications
Support Coordinator Tip
Submit your FCA referral at least 6-8 weeks before a plan review. CARED can fast-track urgent referrals, ask us about availability.
Got an upcoming plan review?
Lock in a CARED FCA, fast-track options available.
OTs who know the NDIS inside out
Our occupational therapists have specialist experience in NDIS assessments across a wide range of disabilities, ages, and living situations. They take the time to understand the participant, not just complete a form.
NDIS-Specialist OTs
Experienced in complex presentations, SIL/SDA applications, assistive technology, and plan reviews.
Multidisciplinary Input
Where needed, our OTs consult directly with our in-house speech, psych, and physio teams.
FCAs across Australia. No matter where your participant lives
With clinics in major capitals and telehealth nationwide, CARED supports NDIS participants wherever they are, from inner-city Sydney to regional Queensland.
hear from our community
“I've worked with a lot of OTs and CARED's FCAs are genuinely the most thorough I've seen. The detail in the report made the NDIA's decision easy. My participant got everything we asked for.“
Not sure where to start?
Enquire NowFAQs
Three steps to a stronger FCA
Submit a referral or book a discovery call
Tell us about the participant and the upcoming planning milestones. Takes 5 minutes.
We match and schedule
We assign an OT with relevant specialisation and schedule around the participant's availability, face-to-face or telehealth.
Receive a report built to stand up
A comprehensive, NDIA-ready FCA, plus access to our full allied health team if further supports are identified.
take the first step
Your participant's plan review won't wait
Every underfunded plan is a missed opportunity to give someone the support they genuinely need. CARED's FCAs are built to support that. Let's get started.