Functional capacity assessments

A functional capacity assessment (FCA) helps to clarify how a person manages the demands of everyday life – including their independent living skills, communication and social interactions, cognitive and learning skills, and ability to engage in work or study. It provides a detailed picture of strengths, support needs and challenges, and the impact of disability or neurodivergence on daily functioning. Infinity Psychology & Assessments provides functional capacity assessments to support NDIS applications or plan reviews.

What is a functional capacity assessment?

An FCA explores how someone independently manages and functions across key life domains, such as:

  • Communication and social interactions

  • Mobility, getting around, and accessing the community

  • Regulating emotions and behaviour

  • Self‑care and daily living skills

  • Learning and taking in information

  • Community participation

  • Decision‑making and managing one’s own affairs

Rather than focusing on diagnosis, an FCA explores how a person’s strengths and challenges affect their ability to participate in everyday life. It is designed to provide practical recommendations for further support or planning.

When might a functional capacity assessment be needed?

FCAs are often undertaken to:

  • support an initial NDIS application or an NDIS plan review (e.g., when requesting additional funding, change of circumstance)

  • provide evidence of the functional impact of a disability

  • facilitate a transition to Support Independent Living (SIL)

  • clarify support needs across home, school, work, or community settings

  • inform support coordination or therapy/service planning

  • identify areas requiring additional skill development, environmental adjustments, or other kinds of support

  • re-evaluate the impact of and diagnosed ‘level’ of autism

What is the process for a functional capacity assessment?

An FCA might be conducted as a standalone assessment, or combined as part of a larger assessment exploring disabilities or neurodevelopmental differences such as autism. This would usually involve the following steps:

  • An intake session to discuss background information, understand why an FCA may be needed, and form a plan for further assessment

  • Clinical interview to comprehensively explore different domains of daily life

  • Cognitive testing, if required

  • Standardised questionniares and review of other documents (where applicable) to gather other relevant information

  • Outside of appointments, the psychologist spends time reviewing, scoring, and interpreting data, and writing a comprehensive report in line with NDIS language and standards

  • A feedback session to discuss the outcomes, recommendations, and receive a copy of the report

Contact us to find out more.

Our admin team are happy to answer any questions you may have about FCAs, or assist you with booking in an assessment.