Supporting independence, safety, and participation in everyday life.
Functional Capacity Assessments Across Greater Sydney
Preparing for a plan review or building a case for new supports? Our occupational therapists spend time with you where life actually happens, then translate what we see into detailed FCA reports that make your real capacity impossible to overlook.
THE DRIVE & THRIVE DIFFERENCE
NDIS-Ready Occupational Therapy FCAs You Can Trust
Drive & Thrive OT delivers thorough, evidence-based functional capacity assessments across Greater Sydney, giving you the clarity, documentation and confidence needed to plan supports, secure funding and move forward.
Our assessments are completed by registered occupational therapists with strong NDIS experience. You receive a clear process, respectful sessions, and a written FCA report that stands up to review.
Book your functional capacity assessment today or enquire to speak with our team.
HOW WE HELP
Practical, real-world Functional assessments
Everyday activities
We assess how a person manages daily tasks such as personal care, mobility, and household activities.
Physical and cognitive function
Assessments consider strength, movement, thinking, and decision-making as they relate to daily life.
Real-world environments
Where appropriate assessments are completed in familiar home or community settings.
Clear professional reporting
Reports provide functional information to support planning, funding, and service decisions.
functional capacity assessment
What Is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A functional capacity assessment, or FCA, is an occupational therapy assessment that looks at how you manage everyday life.
It examines what you can do independently, what you need support with, and what impact your condition has on daily activities, community access, work and relationships.
The final FCA report is used by the NDIS, insurers, legal teams, employers and health professionals to guide decisions about funding, supports and next steps.
NEXT STEPS
A clear and supportive process
We aim to make the assessment process simple and supportive, with clear communication at each stage so you know what to expect.
This may include equipment and environmental assessments to support independence and safety at home.
Enquire or Refer
Get in touch directly or have your support coordinator, GP or specialist send a referral. We will confirm funding, timing and next steps.
Initial Planning and Scheduling
We review your background, goals and any existing reports so your assessment is focused on what matters most to your situation.
Functional Capacity Assessment Session
Your assessment is completed in your home, community or via telehealth, with a clinical interview, standardised tools and functional observations.
NDIS-Ready FCA Report
Your written report is delivered within a clear timeframe and shared with you and your nominated contacts.
What our assessment cover
What Our Functional Capacity Assessments Cover
Every FCA is tailored to your situation, funding type and goals. Our assessments typically review:
Self-care tasks such as showering, dressing, toileting and personal hygiene
Domestic tasks including meal preparation, cleaning, laundry and household management
Mobility, transfers, safety in the home and ability to use transport
Communication, social interaction and community participation
Cognitive function, planning, problem solving and decision making
Emotional regulation, psychosocial capacity and coping
Capacity for work, study or volunteering where relevant
When You May Need an Assessment
Who Needs a Functional Capacity Assessment?
FCAs are commonly requested by:
- NDIS participants preparing for an initial plan, review or funding increase
- Support coordinators needing strong evidence for a participant’s goals
- Adults living with physical disability, neurological conditions, chronic illness or psychosocial disability
- People recovering from injury, surgery, stroke or brain injury
- Insurers, icare clients, legal teams and employers assessing capacity for work or daily life
- Families and nominees organising an assessment for a loved one
What's Included
What’s Included in Your FCA
Clinical Interview and Standardised Assessments
We take the time to understand your history, goals and daily routine, supported by evidence-based assessment tools.
Functional Observations
Your therapist observes real tasks in your home or community, giving a true picture of your capacity and support needs.
NDIS-Ready Written Report
A clear, structured FCA report written for the NDIS and aligned to their guidelines, with recommendations you and your coordinator can act on.
Post-Assessment Support
We are available to answer questions, clarify recommendations, and liaise with your support coordinator or plan manager where needed.
Service Area
Servicing Participants Across Greater Sydney
Drive & Thrive OT delivers functional capacity assessments across:
Inner West and Sydney metro
Northern Sydney and the Central Coast by arrangement
Greater Western Sydney, including Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith and Liverpool
The Hills District, including Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills and Rouse Hill
South West Sydney, including Campbelltown, Camden and Fairfield
Assessments are offered in-home, in the community and via telehealth where suitable.
Related services
FAQ
Frequently asked Questions
Functional Capacity Assessments in NSW
What Is an NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment?
An NDIS functional capacity assessment is a detailed occupational therapy report that describes how a participant manages daily life, including self-care, mobility, communication and community access. It provides evidence for the NDIA to understand support needs, set reasonable and necessary funding, and guide plan decisions. Well-written FCAs can make a significant difference at plan reviews and during initial access requests.
Who Can Complete a Functional Capacity Assessment?
Functional capacity assessments are most commonly completed by registered occupational therapists, as they are specifically trained to evaluate how health conditions affect daily life. Depending on the context, psychologists, physiotherapists or speech pathologists may contribute to specific sections. For NDIS and many insurer or medico-legal matters, an occupational therapy FCA is usually the preferred and most comprehensive option.
How Long Does a Functional Capacity Assessment Take?
Most FCAs involve two to four hours of direct assessment, either in a single session or split across visits depending on your needs. On top of the session, your therapist spends several hours preparing, scoring standardised tools and writing the report. Typical turnaround from first session to final report is two to four weeks, although this can be expedited in urgent cases.
How Much Does a Functional Capacity Assessment Cost?
The cost of a functional capacity assessment depends on complexity, travel, report length and funding source. NDIS rates are aligned to the current Pricing Arrangements, while insurer, legal and private fees are quoted individually. Drive & Thrive OT provides a clear, itemised quote before booking so you can plan your budget or line items with confidence.
Will the NDIS Accept My FCA Report?
Our reports are written specifically to align with NDIS guidelines and terminology, so they are ready to be submitted with your plan or review documents. While no provider can guarantee NDIA decisions, clear evidence, strong functional observations and well-justified recommendations significantly improve the quality of your application. We also welcome feedback from support coordinators so reports meet your participant’s needs.
Do I Need a Diagnosis Before an FCA?
You do not always need a formal diagnosis before an FCA, but having relevant medical or allied health reports helps us build a more complete picture of your situation. If diagnoses are still being explored, we can still document your current functional capacity, which is often useful for both clinical decisions and NDIS access. We will let you know what to bring during booking.
Can a Functional Capacity Assessment Be Completed in My Home?
Telehealth can be appropriate for parts of an FCA, particularly interviews, history taking and some standardised tools. For most participants, a combination of in-person and telehealth offers the best balance between thoroughness and flexibility. We discuss the right mix with you during booking based on your location, health, goals and the purpose of the report.
How Do I Book a Functional Capacity Assessment in Sydney?
Booking a functional capacity assessment with Drive & Thrive OT is simple. Call our team or complete the online enquiry form with a few details about your situation and funding. We will confirm eligibility, fees and timing, and schedule your assessment at a time and location that works for you, whether that is your home, community or a telehealth session.
Book Your Functional Capacity Assessment
We will walk you through fees, funding options and what to expect before you book, so there are no surprises.
Whether you are self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed, our team will confirm eligibility and the right type of FCA for your goals.
Call Drive & Thrive OT or enquire online to book your functional capacity assessment in Greater Sydney.