Functional Capacity Assessment
A comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of how a child or young person's disability affects their everyday life — and what supports they need to thrive.
Understanding everyday life — the whole picture
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a thorough, big-picture evaluation of how a person's disability affects their ability to carry out everyday activities — at home, at school, in the community, and in social settings. It looks at real life: what a child can do independently, where they need support, and what that support should look like.
An FCA is most commonly used to support NDIS applications, plan reviews, and access requests. The detailed report produced by our occupational therapist provides the NDIA with clear, evidence-based information about your child's support needs — helping to ensure their NDIS plan truly reflects their life and goals.
At Therapy for Kids Perth, FCAs are completed by our experienced occupational therapists. Because OTs are specifically trained to assess all the factors that contribute to how a person participates in daily life, they are the most appropriate professional to conduct this type of assessment.
The process is collaborative and supportive. We take the time to understand your child as a whole person — not just their diagnoses or limitations — and we work with families every step of the way to make sure the report reflects their real experience.
Who conducts the assessment?
FCAs at Therapy for Kids Perth are completed by our occupational therapists, who have experience in disability assessment and NDIS report writing for children, adolescents, and young adults.
Enquire About an Assessment →How long does it take?
A minimum of 10 hours — but the total time will depend on the complexity of your child's needs and the scope of the assessment required. We'll provide a clear time and fee estimate when you enquire.
Areas covered in an FCA
A Functional Capacity Assessment looks at how your child functions across all areas of daily life. The specific areas assessed will depend on your child's needs and the purpose of the report.
Self-care & personal hygiene
The ability to manage personal care tasks including dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting, and meal preparation — and the level of support needed to do these safely and independently.
Home & daily living
How a child manages daily household routines and tasks — including following schedules, completing chores, managing belongings, and navigating the home environment safely.
Mobility & movement
The ability to move around independently — including walking, navigating different environments, using mobility aids, and accessing transport and community spaces.
Communication
How a child communicates their needs and understands others — including verbal, nonverbal, and augmentative communication, and the supports needed to participate effectively in everyday interactions.
Social participation
The ability to engage in meaningful relationships, social activities, and community life — and what supports are needed to participate safely and comfortably in social environments.
Learning & school participation
How a child's disability affects their ability to engage with education — including attention, following instructions, completing tasks, managing the school environment, and participating in classroom activities.
Cognitive function
Thinking, reasoning, memory, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities — and how these affect the child's capacity to manage everyday tasks, follow multi-step instructions, and exercise judgement safely.
Emotional regulation & behaviour
How a child manages their emotions, responses, and behaviour in everyday settings — and what supports are needed to promote safety, wellbeing, and participation across environments.
What does an FCA involve?
Our FCAs are thorough, multi-method assessments conducted across multiple sessions. Here's how the process typically unfolds.
Initial enquiry & scoping
We start with a conversation to understand the purpose of the assessment — whether it's for initial NDIS access, a plan review, or something else. We'll provide a clear outline of what the assessment will involve, how long it will take, and the associated fees.
Background information gathering
We collect relevant background about your child — including medical history, existing diagnoses, previous reports, current supports, school information, and your family's goals and priorities for the assessment.
Interview with parents & carers
A detailed interview exploring your child's daily life, routines, challenges, and the support they currently receive. Your observations as a family are a crucial source of evidence in the assessment report.
Direct observation & standardised assessment
Our OT observes your child completing everyday tasks and uses standardised assessment tools to evaluate their functional abilities across all relevant areas. This may take place at home, at school, or in clinic — or a combination.
Collateral information
With your consent, we may gather information from teachers, support workers, or other health professionals involved in your child's care — providing a full picture of how they function across different environments.
Report writing & feedback
Our OT writes a comprehensive, NDIS-aligned report detailing your child's strengths, functional limitations, support needs, and recommendations. We'll walk you through the findings and answer any questions before the report is finalised.
hours
A minimum of 10 hours
FCAs are comprehensive by design — a minimum of 10 hours is required to complete a thorough, evidence-based report. The total time will depend on the complexity of your child's needs, the number of environments assessed, and the scope of the report required. We'll provide a clear time and fee estimate before you commit to anything.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the questions families most commonly ask us about FCAs.
Does my child need to be an NDIS participant to have an FCA?
No. An FCA can be completed before a child has an NDIS plan — in fact, an FCA report is often used as part of the evidence submitted with an initial NDIS access request. Families who are applying to the NDIS for the first time can access an FCA on a self-funded basis.
If your child already has an NDIS plan, the FCA is typically funded under the Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building) budget. If this isn't yet in your child's plan, speak with your Support Coordinator or LAC about requesting it.
How is an FCA different from a standard OT assessment?
A standard OT assessment focuses on a specific area of function — such as fine motor skills, sensory processing, or handwriting — and usually informs a therapy plan. An FCA is a broader, big-picture assessment that looks at how disability impacts all areas of everyday life and produces a comprehensive report specifically designed to inform an NDIS plan. The two serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.
Where does the assessment take place?
FCAs are most meaningful when conducted in the environments where your child actually lives and functions — so assessment may take place at home, at school, in the clinic, or a combination of these. Our OT will discuss the most appropriate approach for your child when you enquire.
How long does the whole process take from start to finish?
The end-to-end process — from initial enquiry through to receiving the finalised report — typically takes between 3 and 6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the assessment and scheduling. We'll give you a more specific timeframe when you get in touch.
Can the FCA report be used for things other than the NDIS?
Yes. While FCAs are most commonly used for NDIS planning purposes, the report can also be useful for school support planning, disability access applications, and other contexts where a detailed picture of functional capacity is needed. Speak with our team about your specific situation and we can tailor the scope of the assessment accordingly.
My child already has an OT — can they still complete the FCA?
Yes, though it's worth noting that the NDIA generally expects FCAs to be objective and independent. In some cases, it may be more appropriate for an OT who is not also providing ongoing therapy to your child to complete the FCA. We're happy to discuss this with you and find the best approach for your family's situation.
How to fund an FCA
FCAs can be funded through your NDIS plan or on a self-funded basis. Please get in touch for a full fee estimate.
NDIS — Improved Daily Living
For families with an existing NDIS plan, FCAs are typically funded under the Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building) budget. Therapy for Kids Perth is an NDIS Registered Provider and we accept self-managed, plan-managed, and agency-managed participants.
If your child's current plan does not include funding for an FCA, speak with your Support Coordinator or LAC about requesting it before or at your next plan review.
Self-Funded (Private Pay)
FCAs are available on a self-funded basis — this is the most common pathway for families who are applying to the NDIS for the first time and do not yet have a plan in place. No referral is required.
Please contact us for a fee estimate — as FCAs vary in scope and complexity, we'll provide a tailored quote when you enquire.
Also looking for a different assessment?
We offer a range of assessments at Therapy for Kids Perth. Explore our other options below.
ADHD Assessment
A thorough, neuroaffirming ADHD assessment for children, adolescents, and young adults.
Autism Assessment
A comprehensive, neuroaffirming autism assessment conducted by our psychology and speech pathology team.
Cognitive Assessment
Understanding your child's cognitive profile — including intellectual ability, processing speed, and memory.
GPs, Paediatricians & Support Coordinators
We welcome referrals for FCAs from GPs, paediatricians, support coordinators, LACs, and other health and disability professionals. Families can also self-refer — no referral is required for private bookings.
If you are a Support Coordinator or Plan Manager referring a participant with NDIS funding, please confirm that the relevant Improved Daily Living funding is available in the participant's plan before referral, or contact us to discuss options.
What to include in your referral:
- Child's name, date of birth, and contact details
- Purpose of the FCA — initial NDIS access, plan review, increased funding, or other
- Relevant diagnoses, medical history, and current supports
- NDIS participant number and plan management type (if applicable)
- Any previous FCA reports, OT assessments, or relevant documentation
- Your name, role, provider number or organisation, and contact details
Get in touch
Phone
08 6384 7041Administration hours
Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm