Functional Capacity Assessment
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) provides a detailed understanding of how a person’s disability or health condition impacts their ability to perform everyday activities. At Rocket Health Services, our occupational therapists complete comprehensive FCAs to inform NDIS applications, plan reviews, or therapy planning, ensuring individuals receive the right supports to participate fully in daily life.
Each assessment is person-centred, evidence-based, and designed to highlight both strengths and challenges across core life areas — helping clients, families, and support teams make informed decisions about ongoing care and goals.
What Is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A Functional Capacity Assessment evaluates how well a person manages essential daily activities and routines, taking into account physical, cognitive, sensory, and psychosocial factors.
Our occupational therapists use structured interviews, observation, and standardised assessments to build a clear profile of functional ability across key domains.
The FCA helps to
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Provide objective evidence for NDIS access, plan reviews, or reassessments.
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Identify functional strengths and limitations in self-care, mobility, communication, and cognition.
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Guide the development of goals, supports, and therapy recommendations tailored to each individual.
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Support advocacy by translating personal stories and abilities into measurable data for funding and planning.
What We Assess
Depending on the person’s goals and circumstances, the FCA may assess:
Self-Care and Daily Living: dressing, grooming, hygiene, eating, and household tasks.
Functional Mobility: moving safely and independently within different environments.
Cognitive Function: attention, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Communication and Social Interaction: understanding, expression, and relationship skills.
Sensory and Emotional Regulation: response to stimuli, stress, and environmental factors.
Work, Study, or Community Participation: ability to engage in productive and social roles.
We may use validated tools such as the WHODAS 2.0, COPM, or PASS alongside clinical observation and interviews to ensure accurate and holistic reporting.
Why a Functional Capacity Assessment Matters
Supports NDIS Planning:
Provides clear, evidence-based information about a person’s functional needs and capacity for independence — essential for access and plan review reports.
Informs Therapy Goals:
Identifies specific areas where occupational therapy or other supports can enhance participation, independence, and quality of life.
Empowers Clients and Families:
Ensures individuals and carers have a strong voice in describing needs, preferences, and goals.
Collaborative & Ethical Practice:
All assessments are guided by the NDIS Practice Standards and occupational therapy professional frameworks to ensure accuracy, transparency, and respect.
What to expect
Comprehensive Initial Assessment
Gathering background, health information, and key concerns.
Observation and Assessment
Structured activities and evidence-based measures.
Goal Setting
Discussing what’s meaningful and important for the participant’s future.
Report and Recommendations
a comprehensive, plain-language document outlining findings, NDIS-relevant domains, and practical recommendations for support and therapy.
Assessments are usually completed over one to two sessions, either in-person or via telehealth, depending on the client’s preferences and needs.
Building Capacity, Independence, and Confidence
At Rocket Health Services, we believe that meaningful participation - at home, in the community, and in life - is the foundation of wellbeing.
Our Functional Capacity Assessments help individuals and families clearly understand abilities, barriers, and supports, laying the groundwork for improved independence, confidence, and quality of life.
We translate evidence into action, ensuring every assessment leads to practical, person-centred outcomes that make a genuine difference.