3a/352 South Street O’Connor WA 6163 | (08) 93376460
3a/352 South Street O’Connor WA 6163 | (08) 93376460
Are you new to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?
Have been told you need a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) from an occupational therapist (OT)?
Not sure what to do next?
This page is your complete guide to Functional Capacity Assessments at Next Wave Therapy — what they are, how they work, and how we can support you in accessing the NDIS.
In order to be eligible for NDIS funding, you must have ALL of the following:
A person with a disability has ‘reduced functional capacity’ when they can’t:
The NDIS looks at whether you have substantially reduced functional capacity across six domains:
NDIS guidelines now also emphasise a participant’s ability to sustain activities over time and manage fatigue, recognising that capacity can fluctuate. This may be captured in your assessment if relevant.
The NDIS relies on the reports you provide when applying for support. Occupational Therapists are qualified to asses your functional capacity across each of the 6 areas of consideration (listed above).
• Your OT begins by talking with you about your personal goals — what a “meaningful life” looks like with the right supports.
• We assess how you currently manage daily tasks. This identifies strengths, challenges, and where supports or modifications could help.
• The process considers both performance skills (what you can do) and participation (how you engage in home, work, and community life).
When conducting an OT functional assessment the occupational therapist will firstly talk to you about your goals for functional capacity and how you hope that your life will be with more support. They then assess how you are currently managing in your day. This helps to identify current or potential challenges in your functional ability, performance skills and life satisfaction.
At Next Wave Therapy, Functional Capacity Assessments are conducted by experienced occupational therapists. They provide therapy for people with complex pain presentations, chronic pain and/or mental health concerns.
Phone or email us to complete our application form. Our receptionist’s can help you fil this form in over the phone or in clinic. They may suggest you book a FREE discovery session with one of therapists if they are unable to answer your queries.
We then look at your application to decide if we are the right service and which of our therapists will best suit your needs. We provide therapy for pain and mental health needs and each of our therapists have a different skill set within these therapy areas.
You can read more about our occupational therapists here.
At your first appointment, we complete a service agreement. This outlines:
• The therapy services to be provided
• Pricing and cost structure (aligned with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2024-25
• Roles and responsibilities
• How changes are managed
• Feedback and complaints pathways
Depending on your needs, this may take 2–6 hours and can be conducted:
• In our O’Connor clinic
• At your home
• In the community
• Via telehealth
The assessment involves:
• Initial consultation – gathering information, identifying other assessments required, setting goals, and finalising the service agreement.
• Practical assessments – e.g., observing you making a meal, or assessing mobility in your home.
• Objective measures – validated tools to assess cognition, sleep, fatigue, mental health, quality of life, and trauma impact.
We assess your capacity across self-care, self-management, mobility, learning, communication, and social interaction — plus your productivity (work, volunteering, study) and leisure activities.
This process highlights the challenges caused by your condition(s) and how they impact your ability to live independently.
At the end, your OT prepares a detailed FCA report for you to submit to the NDIS. This includes:
• A clear picture of your current functional capacity
• Recommendations for therapy, supports, equipment, or home modifications
• Alignment with NDIS criteria to strengthen your application or plan review
NDIS now places additional focus on goal-directed outcomes and the link between supports and increased participation. Our reports reflect this, clearly mapping supports to your goals.
NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments – Occupational Therapy in Fremantle
If you’re applying for the NDIS or need to review your current plan, a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) from a registered occupational therapist is a key step in ensuring you get the right supports.
At Next Wave Therapy, our experienced OTs provide comprehensive, accurate FCAs that reflect your unique needs, goals, and daily living requirements — helping you access the funding and services you need to live more independently.
A Functional Capacity Assessment is an in-depth evaluation of your abilities, limitations, and support needs across essential daily activities. It’s used by the NDIS to:
Initial Consultation
We discuss your goals, needs, and NDIS requirements
Comprehensive Assessment
Your OT will observe and evaluate your abilities in a range of daily activities, either at our clinic or in your home/community setting.
Documentation & Recommendations
We prepare a detailed FCA report tailored to NDIS criteria, including recommendations for supports, equipment, and therapy.
Submission Support
We can send the report directly to the NDIS or your support coordinator, and answer any questions during the process.
Depending on the complexity, assessments can take between 1–3 hours, plus time for report preparation.
Yes — we can complete the assessment in your home, workplace, or community setting for accuracy and convenience.
We aim to provide your completed report within 1–2 weeks after your assessment.
Yes — updated FCAs can be crucial for demonstrating changes in your needs and justifying additional supports.
Our friendly, professional team is here to help you get the support you deserve. Let us guide you through the process with expertise, compassion, and accuracy.
