Evidence-based FCAs for NDIS plan reviews, SIL, SDA and support coordination. Conducted in the home by AHPRA-registered OTs.
A functional capacity assessment (FCA) documents how a person functions across daily living, mobility, communication, self-care and community participation. Our OTs conduct the assessment in your home or preferred environment, then write a thorough report with evidence-based recommendations to support your funding requests. We work directly with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants, and we're happy to liaise with your support coordinator or plan manager throughout the process.
You'll speak with one of our AHPRA-registered OTs.
We usually call back within one business day.
Functional capacity assessments across QLD, NSW, VIC & TAS
A functional capacity assessment is a structured, evidence-based OT report that documents what a person can and cannot do across the domains of daily life. It's the document most support coordinators and plan managers turn to when a plan review is coming up, a SIL application needs backing, or the NDIA has asked for functional evidence. Knowing what a well-written FCA covers, and how it's used, helps referrers scope the job correctly from the start.
The OT spends one to two hours in the person's home, observing performance across relevant daily living domains: self-care, meal preparation, mobility, home management, communication and community access. Standardised assessment tools are used where clinically appropriate. The visit is not a clinical interview. The OT is observing actual task performance in the real environment, which is what gives the report its clinical weight.
A complete FCA from Astrad covers: referral context and reason for assessment; background history (medical, functional and support history); standardised tool results with clinical interpretation; functional observations domain by domain; current support hours and care needs; and evidence-based recommendations to support the participant's funding requests. The NDIA and support coordinators are the primary readers, so the language is clear and the structure is consistent.
The assessment visit is scheduled once the scope and quote are confirmed. The written report is delivered digitally within two to three weeks of the visit. If there's a plan review date or a SIL submission deadline, let us know at referral and we'll build the timeline around that. Urgent turnarounds may be possible, so ask at intake.
FCAs are used by support coordinators at plan review to justify current or increased funding, by SIL providers to establish support hours, by SDA applicants as part of the housing evidence package, by DVA case managers and by courts and tribunals needing functional documentation. The report is sent to whoever the participant nominates, including directly to the NDIA or support coordinator.
The NDIA expects FCAs to be specific about functional performance, not just diagnosis. A strong FCA identifies what tasks the person can do independently, what they need prompting or physical assistance with, and why, with reference to the functional impact of their disability. Vague or diagnosis-focused reports are the most common reason FCAs are returned or queried. Astrad OTs write to NDIS standards as a baseline practice.
With the participant's consent, we liaise with support coordinators, plan managers, SIL providers and other treating clinicians throughout the assessment and reporting process. The completed report is sent to whoever is nominated. Follow-up questions from support coordinators or the NDIA are answered at no extra charge. If a report needs to be updated following NDIA feedback, we discuss that with you directly.
Whether you're a participant, a support coordinator or a plan manager, the process is straightforward. We handle the scheduling and keep everyone informed.
Call (07) 3477 9366 or submit the form. Referrals come from participants directly, support coordinators, plan managers, GPs and allied health teams. We confirm the scope and quote in writing before any visit is booked.
An AHPRA-registered OT visits you at home. The assessment typically takes one to two hours and covers functional domains including self-care, mobility, communication, home management and community access. Standardised tools are used where clinically appropriate.
The completed FCA report is delivered digitally, typically within two to three weeks of the assessment visit. We can send it directly to your support coordinator, plan manager or the NDIA as instructed. Follow-up questions are answered at no extra charge.
Functional capacity assessments are requested for children, working-age adults and older people. The domains assessed and the standards used vary by age and funding context.
Kids
Birth – 17
FCAs for children focus on developmental function: self-care, play, school participation, communication and family routines. Often requested at NDIS plan review or to support initial access for children with autism, developmental delay or complex needs.
Adults
18 – 64
For working-age adults, FCAs typically address NDIS plan reviews, SIL applications, SDA evidence, return-to-work contexts or DVA claims. The report documents current function and recommends the supports needed to achieve goals.
Older adults
65+
For older people, FCAs support Home Care Package (HCP) funding decisions, aged care entry, equipment and home modification planning, and DVA assessments. Written to aged care standards as well as NDIS where applicable.
Our Occupational Therapists are AHPRA-registered, supported by OT assistants, a psychologist, a speech pathologist and a warm admin team who'll be your first point of contact. Small enough to know your name, big enough to match you with someone whose experience fits your goals.
Occupational Therapist
AHPRA-registered
Occupational Therapist
AHPRA-registered
Occupational Therapist
AHPRA-registered
Occupational Therapist
AHPRA-registered
Occupational Therapist
AHPRA-registered
Occupational Therapist
AHPRA-registered
Occupational Therapist
AHPRA-registered
Occupational Therapist
AHPRA-registered
Occupational Therapist
AHPRA-registered
Occupational Therapist
AHPRA-registered
Occupational Therapist
AHPRA-registered
Occupational Therapist
AHPRA-registered
Psychologist
AHPRA-registered
Speech Pathologist
SPA Certified Practising
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Under OT supervision
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Under OT supervision
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Under OT supervision
Speech Therapy Assistant
Under SPA supervision
Client Intake Coordinator
Intake team
Client Intake Coordinator
Intake teamSwipe to see more
Tell us your preferences: gender, language, cultural background, clinical experience. We'll match you with a clinician who fits.
We can't list fixed prices publicly. What you pay depends on your funding stream, the service, and your location. But every Astrad client gets the same three things, in writing, before any visit is booked.
Request a written quoteEvery client gets a clear written quote setting out session rates, expected travel time and any reports, before we schedule a single visit.
For NDIS participants we bill within the limits set out in the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. No surprises at invoice time.
Travel and non-face-to-face time are always quoted in writing, at the rates allowed for your funding stream. What you see is what you pay.
Our Occupational Therapists travel to you. At home, at school, at work or in the community. We cover metro and many regional areas across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Not sure if we reach your postcode? Ask us. We usually confirm within one business day.
Check availabilityBrisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Toowoomba
Sydney, Central Coast, Wollongong, Newcastle
Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat
Hobart, Launceston, Devonport
Questions about scope, turnaround, cost or report structure? Call (07) 3477 9366 and we'll give you a straight answer.
A functional capacity assessment (FCA) is a structured OT report that documents how a person functions across the domains of daily life: self-care, mobility, communication, home management, community access and, where relevant, work or study. It captures what the person can do independently, what they need support with, and why. The report includes evidence-based recommendations to support funding requests, though funding decisions sit with the relevant funding body.
FCAs are most commonly requested for NDIS plan reviews (to justify ongoing or increased funding), SIL (supported independent living) applications, SDA (specialist disability accommodation) evidence, DVA assessments and Home Care Package planning. They are also used as baseline documentation when a person is first entering the NDIS or when their support needs have changed significantly.
Yes. We regularly receive referrals from support coordinators, plan managers, case managers and allied health teams. You don't need a GP referral or NDIS referral number to book an FCA with us. Just contact our intake team and we'll confirm scope, quote and availability. We'll copy you into correspondence and send the completed report to whoever you nominate.
The home assessment visit typically takes one to two hours, depending on the person's complexity and the domains being assessed. The written report is generally delivered within two to three weeks of the assessment visit. If you have an urgent plan review or submission deadline, let us know at the time of referral and we'll advise whether an expedited timeline is possible.
A typical FCA from Astrad covers: referral context and reason for assessment; background history (medical, functional, support); standardised assessment results where used; functional observations across relevant domains (self-care, mobility, communication, home management, community participation); current support needs and hours; and evidence-based recommendations to support the participant's funding requests. The report is written with the NDIS or relevant funding body in mind.
For plan-managed NDIS participants, FCA costs are billed against the Capacity Building or Core Supports budget, at rates within the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. We provide a written quote before any work is booked. The total cost depends on assessment time, report writing time and travel. Contact us for a quote specific to your situation.
Yes, always. Conducting the assessment in the person's home environment gives us the most accurate and useful picture of their actual functional capacity. We see how they manage in their real space, with their real equipment, in the routines they actually use. This makes the report more accurate and the recommendations more grounded.
Astrad works directly with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. If you are agency-managed, your support coordinator can explore options including moving to plan management. We're happy to have that conversation with you.
Whether you're a support coordinator managing a plan review deadline, a plan manager whose participant needs an updated FCA, or a participant getting ready for an NDIS check-in, our OTs write thorough, NDIS-standard reports and deliver them within an agreed timeframe. Call (07) 3477 9366 or submit the form and we'll get back to you within one business day.
We usually call back within one business day.
Mon–Fri 9am–5pm Brisbane time
