Preparation makes your report richer and more useful
If you've booked a Functional Capacity Assessment, or you're thinking about it, you might be wondering what you're actually supposed to do to get ready. What do you need to bring? What if you don't have much documentation?
The honest answer is that preparation matters more than most people realise. Not because the assessment will go badly without it, but because good preparation makes the report richer, more specific, and ultimately more useful for your NDIS application or plan review.
Gather your supporting documents
The most important thing you can do before an FCA. Documents give us a fuller picture of you or your child than any questionnaire can — we're looking for anything that captures how your disability affects your daily life.
"You don't need all of these, and you don't need them to be recent. If a health professional has written something about your situation in the last few years, it's probably worth sending."— Nisha Bal, Seeds OT
Answer honestly — especially about hard days
After booking, we send structured online forms about your daily life: self-care, cooking, getting around, working or studying, socialising, managing emotions. There are no right or wrong answers. We're not testing you — we're trying to understand how your disability actually shows up day to day.
Things to keep in mind
A structured conversation, not a performance
Your assessor will ask you to walk them through your day-to-day life — what you can do, what you find difficult, what you need support with and how often. The interview usually takes around 60 minutes via telehealth.
Don't try to perform
We're not looking for the most articulate version of your story — we're looking for the real one. If something varies day to day, say that. Variability is itself important clinical information.
Jot a few notes beforehand
Key challenges, things you want to make sure you mention, situations that have been particularly hard recently — just so you don't come out wishing you'd said something.
Optional but helpfulThe assessor's job is to understand you, not judge you
If the interview becomes emotionally difficult, that's okay. We can slow down, take a break, or come back to something later. The assessment is designed to work around you.
The report is delivered within two weeks
Nisha reviews everything — your intake forms, documents and interview notes — and writes the report. It links your functional difficulties to specific, evidence-based support needs in language NDIS planners and reviewers understand.
Delivered within 2 weeksYou don't need to have everything in order
Some people contact us months before they're ready to book, just to ask questions. That's completely fine. We'd rather you get in touch early and feel clear about the process than push through something you're unsure about.
Email fca@seedsoccupationaltherapy.com.au with any questions, or visit the Getting Started page for the Welcome Guide, FAQ and Service Agreement.