NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments Adelaide

Thrive Health Therapies provides comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA) for NDIS participants throughout Adelaide. Our assessments, conducted by experienced occupational therapists, help clients understand their abilities and access the right support through the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme). Each NDIS functional capacity assessment is tailored to reflect your unique needs and goals, helping to ensure that your plan provides the support necessary to enhance your independence and quality of life.

Occupational therapist talking to client during a functional capacity assessment at the Thrive Health Therapies clinic in Adelaide

What is a Functional Capacity Assessment for NDIS?

A functional capacity assessment evaluates your ability to carry out daily activities and identifies where support, assistive technology, or home modifications could improve your independence. These assessments play a crucial role in informing your NDIS plan and help ensure you receive the resources needed to achieve your personal goals.

How Can a Functional Capacity Assessment Benefit You?

A Functional Capacity Assessment helps individuals:

  • Understand which activities can be performed independently and where support may be needed.

  • Determine the right level of assistance and identify assistive technology or home modifications that may enhance independence.

  • Receive recommendations for housing support, including eligibility for Supported Independent Living (SIL) or Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) under the NDIS.

A functional capacity assessment can be used to support access to NDIS funding or evidence a change in the level of support that is required. 

Our Adelaide-based Occupational Therapists produce tailored, thorough reports that document your functional capacity and provide evidence of disability, ensuring your NDIS funding aligns with your unique needs.

What is Assessed in a Functional Capacity Assessment?

Thrive Health Therapies occupational therapist-led functional capacity assessments include assessments of:

  • Personal Care Activities of Daily Living: Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating and more

  • Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: Shopping, meal preparation, cleaning, transport and more

  • Cognition: Orientation, memory, attention, learning and problem-solving.

  • Participation: Community participation, social interaction, language

  • Mental Health

  • Physical: Mobility, transfers, balance, pain, gross motor, fine motor and sensation

  • Sensory Processing: Understanding and managing sensory inputs

  • Behavioural concerns & restrictive practices

Types of Functional Capacity Assessments at Thrive Health Therapies

  • FCA: A standard FCA without any housing recommendations. This is suitable for all ages and all diagnosis.

  • FCA & Supported Independent Living: A SIL offers a structured care plan and support recommendations to guide funding for participants with higher support needs. This support package allows participants to live as independently as possible within an assisted living environment.

  • FCA & Specialist Disability Accommodation: Specialist disability accommodation (SDA) is a range of housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.

Who Conducts Functional Capacity Assessments?

Functional Capacity Assessments are typically completed by qualified allied health professionals, such as occupational therapists or physiotherapists, with specialised training in assessing functional capacity.

At Thrive Health Therapies, functional capacity assessments are typically completed by our occupational therapists (OT’s). Our OT’s are experienced assessing individuals with a wide range of disabilities and conditions and are experts at writing reports that reflect your capacity and needs.

Click here to find out more about our occupational therapists.

What To Expect During a Functional Capacity Assessment?

A typical Functional Capacity Assessment takes 1.5 to 2 hours, with further time for reporting as needed. During the assessment, your OT will gather information about your current function, assess needs, and observe a daily task to understand your abilities better. We utilise standardised outcome measures, including Vineland-3, ABAS-3, and WHODAS-2, as appropriate for each participant.

Following the in-person assessment, our occupational therapists complete the report and once completed, will send you a copy to review.

Who Do We Provide Functional Capacity Assessments For?

At Thrive Health Therapies, our occupational therapists complete functional capacity assessments with people of all ages with a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Neurological disorders: Stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, brain cancer, dementia, motor neurone disease, spinal muscular atrophy, Tourette syndrome, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy

  • Psychosocial conditions: Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and more

  • Physical disabilities (e.g., amputees)

  • Chronic diseases: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, POTS, heart and vascular disease

  • Developmental disorders: autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning disorders, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

  • Intellectual disabilities

  • Genetic disorders

Paediatric occupational therapist working with child during a functional capacity assessment at the Thrive Health Therapies clinic in Adelaide

Where Do We Conduct Functional Capacity Assessments in Adelaide?

At Thrive Health Therapies, we offer community-based, clinic-based and telehealth physiotherapy services to clients throughout metropolitan Adelaide:

  • We conduct community-based functional capacity assessments in your home throughout metropolitan Adelaide. Learn more about our service areas here.

  • Where it is not appropriate to conduct a functional capacity assessment in the home, we offer clinic-based assessments at our clinic in Findon.

  • We also offer telehealth assessments where in-person assessments are not possible.

Occupational therapist and client smiling sitting on a couch during a functional capacity assessment at home

FAQs About NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments

If you can’t find an answer to your question, please contact our friendly team on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.

  • At Thrive Health Therapies, our occupational therapists complete functional capacity assessments with clients of all ages throughout metropolitan Adelaide.

    Our therapists have experience in a wide range of conditions and diagnosis, ensuring we can help you find a therapist who is the right fit for you.

    As a NDIS registered provider we are also able to accept participants who have chosen to have their funds managed by NDIA.

  • A typical Functional Capacity Assessment takes 1.5 to 2 hours, with further time for reporting as needed.

  • No! We can start working with new clients right away.

    Once we have received a referral form with all of your details, we are able to book an Initial Assessment as soon as possible, depending on your availability.

    You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.

    If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.

  • No! You can refer yourself or your child directly via our online referral form, or reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.

  • Yes! As a registered NDIS provider, Thrive Health Therapies meets rigorous NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We are passionately committed to upholding the NDIS Practice Standards, providing high-quality and safe supports and services for NDIS participants.

    As a NDIS registered provider, we are also able to offer services to participants whose funds are managed by the NDIA.

  • As a registered NDIS provider, interpreter services are available free of charge for NDIS participants. Please inform us if you require this service, and we will arrange this for you.

Your Trusted NDIS Registered Provider in Adelaide

As a registered NDIS provider in Adelaide, Thrive Health Therapies meets rigorous NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We are passionately committed to upholding the NDIS Practice Standards, providing high-quality and safe supports and services for NDIS participants.

As a NDIS registered provider, we offer services to participants whose funds are managed by the NDIA.

Ready to get started with a Functional Capacity Assessment? It’s easy!

Referral Form

Fill out our easy online referral form and we’ll be in touch!

NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for individuals with permanent and significant disabilities. The NDIS aims to empower participants by offering them more choices and control over when, where, and how their supports are delivered. The type and amount of support and funding a person receives are tailored to their unique needs. For more information on what therapeutic supports are available and how they are funded, you can visit the NDIS website.