Our Service
Functional Capacity Assessments in North Shore
Integral Occupational Therapy provides comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessments in North Shore and across Sydney to assist participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), or individuals who are eligible to apply for NDIS to have access to the optimal funding and support from NDIS.
The FCA reports outline the current functional capacity of an individual from an intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical and/or psychosocial perspective depending on the individual’s disability, and provides recommendations for both current and future needs.
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How a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) Is Delivered
Our Occupational therapists conduct Functional Capacity Assessments in North Shore and across Sydney. To provide a thorough evaluation of the individuals’ function and needs across a range of daily activities and environments, our OT will utilise a combination of assessments including observation, interviews and standardised assessments. Our team will also collaborate with relevant stakeholders including family members, carers, local area coordinator (LAC) and other relevant allied health professionals to identify the level of support required for the individuals to achieve their goals.
The comprehensive FCA report plays a crucial role in determining the funding and support allocated to the individuals’ NDIS plan to increase their independence, level of participation in their life goals, and overall quality of life.
Details of recommendations listed in the FCA including, but not limited to:
Formal support from other allied health professionals
Case management services
Carer support
FAQs
1. What is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a comprehensive OT report used for NDIS planning and reviews. It looks at daily living skills, safety, and participation, and provides clear recommendations for supports, therapy, equipment, and home modifications.
2. What ages do you work with?
We work with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Our occupational therapists provide Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA) across the lifespan, supporting NDIS participants at different stages of life.
An FCA may be completed for a child, a young person transitioning to adulthood, or an adult seeking support to live safely and independently. Each assessment is tailored to the person’s age, environment, and daily demands, whether that is at home, school, work, or in the community.
Our approach is disability-focused and person-centred, ensuring each FCA clearly reflects functional abilities, support needs, and practical recommendations that are meaningful and relevant for NDIS planning and review.
3. Do you work with NDIS participants?
Yes. We support NDIS participants of all ages, including children, adults, and older adults. Our services include ongoing OT therapy, Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA), Home and Living Functional Assessments, Assistive Technology assessments, and Home Modification assessments.
4. Do you offer home visits and community-based OT
Yes. We offer clinic-based appointments in Chatswood, as well as home, school and community visits across the North Shore and surrounding suburbs, making occupational therapy accessible for families and NDIS participants.
5. What is the difference between a Functional Capacity Assessment and a Home and Living Functional Assessment?
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) provides a broad picture of how a person manages everyday activities across all areas of life. It looks at personal care, mobility, communication, emotional regulation, social participation, and safety at home and in the community. An FCA is commonly used for NDIS access, plan reviews, and funding requests to show overall support needs and the functional impact of disability.
A Home and Living Functional Assessment is more specific. It focuses on how a person functions within their current or proposed living environment. This assessment is often required when exploring Supported Independent Living (SIL), Individualised Living Options (ILO), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), or other housing-related supports. It looks closely at daily routines in the home, supervision needs, environmental risks, and what supports are required for the person to live safely and meaningfully.
In short:
An FCA answers: “How does this person function in everyday life, and what supports do they need overall?”
A Home and Living Assessment answers: “What level of support and living arrangement does this person need to live safely?”
Both assessments are NDIS-aligned and evidence-based. Depending on your goals, you may need one or both. An occupational therapist can guide you on the most appropriate assessment for your situation.
At Integral Occupational Therapy in Chatswood, we provide both Functional Capacity Assessments and Home and Living Functional Assessments for NDIS participants across the North Shore.
6. Do you only provide assessments, or do you offer ongoing support as well?
We offer much more than assessments. While we complete Functional Capacity Assessments and other NDIS reports, we also provide ongoing, practical occupational therapy support.
This includes Assistive Technology (AT) assessments and trials, Home Modification assessments, and therapy sessions that focus on real-life goals. We work alongside participants, families, and Support Coordinators to move from “what’s needed” to “how it works in everyday life.”
Our aim is not just to deliver a report, but to help turn recommendations into meaningful change—supporting people to live more safely, comfortably, and independently at home and in the community.
