A clear picture of everyday functioning
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a report written by an occupational therapist that describes how a person's disability affects their everyday functioning, and outlines the supports that may be required. It focuses on real-world, day-to-day life — not a diagnosis, and not a clinical label.
For the NDIS, an FCA links specific impairments to their functional impact, the risks involved, and the support needs that follow — the kind of evidence a planner or reviewer is looking for. It aligns with Section 24 (disability requirements) and Section 34 (reasonable and necessary supports) of the NDIS Act.
It describes what you can and can't do
A diagnosis tells you what condition someone has. An FCA tells you how that condition actually plays out in daily life — what a person can do, what they find difficult, what they need help with, and how often. The NDIS is built around this idea of functional capacity rather than diagnosis, which is why a well-written FCA can be so useful for an application or plan review.
A diagnosis
Names the condition. Important — but on its own, it doesn't show how daily life is affected.
Functional capacity
Describes how that condition affects everyday life. This is the evidence the NDIS works from.
What an FCA draws on
An assessment pulls together a few sources to build a complete, accurate picture of how you function day to day.
Interviews
A structured conversation with you — and your carers or support people where it helps — to capture your strengths and challenges.
Standardised tools
Internationally recognised measures such as the WHODAS 2.0, which focus on what you can do across the major areas of life.
Your documents
A review of any relevant reports you provide — medical letters, therapy notes, school reports — for history and context.
The report
A detailed, NDIS-ready report linking your functional difficulties to specific, evidence-based support needs.
The everyday areas it covers
An FCA looks across the major domains of daily functioning, so the report reflects the whole of your day rather than a single snapshot.
Who an FCA is for
FCAs are used by adults and children at different points in the NDIS journey.
- Adults and children applying for the NDIS
- People preparing for a plan review or change of circumstances
- Individuals with complex or interacting conditions
- Families seeking clear guidance on supports and participation
For children and young people, the process is adapted to their age and developmental stage, with parents, carers and schools included where it helps build a picture across different environments.
By telehealth, reviewed by a senior OT
Seeds OT assessments are completed via secure telehealth, Australia-wide — which removes barriers like travel, fatigue and cost, and lets us understand how you function in your own environment. Interviews are conducted by experienced occupational therapists in the team, and every report is then reviewed, reasoned and signed off by Nisha Bal, our Principal OT with more than 15 years' experience. That keeps the clinical judgement consistent and accountable across every report.
The focus is on clear, practical reports that reflect real-world functioning — what you can do, what's hard, and the supports that follow.— Nisha Bal, Seeds OT
Clear, capped pricing
As an independent, therapist-led practice with no franchise structure, we can keep assessments accessible while using validated tools like the WHODAS 2.0 — focusing on clinical integrity and equitable access rather than profit margins.
When an FCA like this may not fit
This service is designed for telehealth and relies on structured questionnaires as part of the process. If those questionnaires can't be completed, or a fully in-person assessment is required, a face-to-face FCA with another provider may be the better option. If you're not sure, get in touch and we'll talk it through honestly.
Frequently asked
No referral is needed. You can contact us directly to book your Functional Capacity Assessment.
Yes — if you're already approved for the NDIS, whether self-managed or plan-managed, you can claim our assessments. Our services meet NDIS standards and are aligned with the NDIS price guide. Depending on your supports, other funding bodies may also apply.
A streamlined FCA is usually completed in around five hours of work when intake forms and background documents are prepared by the participant or their supports. Where more assistance is needed, it can take longer — get in touch and we'll talk through your situation. Once everything is gathered, the written report is delivered within two weeks.
Interviews with you and, where helpful, your carers or support people; standardised tools such as the WHODAS 2.0 that focus on what you can do rather than only your diagnosis; a review of any relevant documents you provide; and a detailed, NDIS-ready report focused on your functional abilities and their impact on daily life.
It's not required, but it's highly recommended. Collateral like school reports, therapy notes or medical letters gives a fuller picture of your situation and makes for a richer, evidence-based report — which strengthens an NDIS application or review by clearly showing functional impact.
Telehealth assessments use secure video or phone calls, so you can take part comfortably from home or wherever you live in Australia. It removes barriers like travel time and anxiety, and lets us understand how you function in your own everyday environment.