Functional Capacity Assessments Perth

A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a detailed occupational therapy assessment that explores your ability to manage daily tasks and routines. It helps identify the right level of support needed to live independently, participate in the community, and achieve your goals, now and into the future.
At Optimal Living Therapy, we’re known for our high-quality FCA reports that clearly communicate your needs and align with NDIS funding criteria. We focus on providing the appropriate level of clinical evidence to justify the supports being requested as reasonable and necessary, ensuring your report stands up to the requirements of the NDIS Act.

You may need an FCA if:

• You’re applying to access the NDIS
• Your condition has changed
• You’re seeking a plan reassessment or review
• You’ve experienced a change in informal supports
• You’re requesting additional funding for support workers, therapy, or assistive technology

It’s always best to ask if your situation warrants one, rather than ending up with a big pile of reports every year that aren’t getting you any closer to your goals.

The FCA process is collaborative, respectful, and designed to reduce overwhelm. Here’s what you can expect when working with us:

1. Initial Intake – Once we receive your referral or enquiry, we’ll be in touch to gather background information and understand the key goals, challenges, and supports you want us to consider. If you’re a support coordinator or family member, we’ll ensure the participant is at the centre of all decisions.
2. Assessment Appointment – An experienced OT will visit you at home (or arrange a telehealth session if appropriate). During this appointment, we’ll look at how you manage daily tasks like personal care, meal prep, community access, mobility, and household tasks. We may use standardised tools, but the heart of our approach is understanding what daily life actually looks like for you.
3. Holistic Review – We also consider cognitive, psychosocial, physical, and environmental factors, including your informal support network and any recent changes to your situation. Our assessments vary in time as our goal is to get a clear, realistic picture of your everyday life and future goals.
   Report Writing – Our team prepares a comprehensive, NDIS-aligned report that outlines your current functional abilities, identifies gaps, and recommends supports based on what is reasonable and necessary. We speak directly to NDIS funding categories and ensure our recommendations sit within the legilsation.
4. Review and Submission – We offer a review call to go through the report with you and ensure you understand the recommendations.

We follow the NDIS Price Guide for Occupational Therapy assessments. The number of hours required depends on the complexity of your situation. Get in touch with us for a personalised quote.

The assessment process usually involves:

• 1.5 to 2.5 hours of direct assessment time (either in-person or via telehealth)
• Up to 8–10 hours total including preparation, communication, scoring of assessments, and comprehensive report writing

The total time can vary depending on the complexity of your needs and the level of detail required for your report. We will always be transparent about estimated timeframes and keep you informed throughout the process.
We understand that many clients are on tight timelines due to plan reassessments or urgent funding needs. Wherever possible, we prioritise time-sensitive cases and work flexibly to meet NDIS deadlines.

Yes. While we prefer in-home visits for comprehensive assessments, telehealth can be arranged when appropriate, particularly for follow-ups or less complex needs.