NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment | What a Physiotherapy FCA Involves | Physio to Home

A Functional Capacity Assessment can strengthen your NDIS plan review or first plan application. North Tasmania's home physiotherapist explains what an FCA involves, what it costs to fund, and how to prepare.

A Functional Capacity Assessment can strengthen your NDIS plan review or first plan application. North Tasmania's home physiotherapist explains what an FCA involves, what it costs to fund, and how to prepare.

Michael Ghattas

7/10/2026 · 8 min read

What Is a Functional Capacity Assessment, and Why Does the NDIS Ask for One?

By Michael Ghattas, DPT | AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist | 18 Years Experience

Physio to Home, North Tasmania | Last reviewed: July 2026

A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a formal, written report prepared by an allied health professional — most commonly a physiotherapist or occupational therapist — that documents exactly how a person's disability affects their physical function and independence in daily life. For NDIS participants, an FCA is one of the most influential pieces of evidence the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) considers when approving a plan, increasing a support budget, or funding equipment and home modifications.

If you've been told your plan review needs "more evidence," or a support coordinator has suggested a Functional Capacity Assessment, this guide explains exactly what that means, what the assessment involves, and how to prepare for it.

Who this guide is for

NDIS participants, families, and support coordinators in North Tasmania who need a Functional Capacity Assessment for a new plan application, a scheduled plan review, an unscheduled review, or a request for increased physiotherapy, equipment, or home modification funding.

Why the NDIA Requests Functional Capacity Assessments

The NDIA funds supports based on evidence of "reasonable and necessary" need. A diagnosis alone — for example, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or a spinal cord injury — tells the NDIA very little about how that condition actually affects someone's day-to-day function. Two people with the same diagnosis can have very different levels of physical capacity.

An FCA closes that gap. It translates a medical diagnosis into practical, measurable information: how far someone can walk, whether they can safely climb stairs, how much assistance they need to transfer from bed to chair, and what specific supports would improve their independence. This is the kind of detail that allows an NDIA planner to make an informed funding decision.

Functional Capacity Assessments are commonly requested for:

• First-time NDIS plan applications, to establish a baseline understanding of functional need
• Scheduled plan reviews, to demonstrate progress, decline, or ongoing need
• Unscheduled plan reviews, where circumstances have changed significantly since the last plan
• Requests for increased physiotherapy funding, where current support hours are insufficient
• Equipment and assistive technology requests, such as wheelchairs, walkers, or pressure-relieving equipment
• Home modification applications, including ramps, bathroom modifications, and rail installations

What Happens During a Physiotherapy Functional Capacity Assessment

At Physio to Home, a Functional Capacity Assessment is conducted in the participant's own home — which is, in most cases, exactly the environment the NDIA needs to understand. Assessing someone in their actual living space captures real barriers that a clinic-based assessment simply cannot see: the height of their front step, the layout of their bathroom, the distance from bedroom to kitchen.

A typical assessment includes:

1. Interview and history — understanding the participant's diagnosis, goals, current supports, and how their function has changed over time.

2. Standardised outcome measures — objective, repeatable tests of strength, balance, mobility, and endurance. These give the NDIA measurable, evidence-based data rather than subjective description.

3. Observation of functional tasks — watching the participant complete real tasks relevant to their goals: walking through the home, transferring in and out of a chair or bed, negotiating stairs, or managing personal care tasks, where appropriate.

4. Environmental assessment — identifying specific physical barriers in the home and whether equipment or modifications would meaningfully improve safety or independence.

5. Written report — a structured document summarising findings, functional limitations, and specific, evidence-based recommendations tied directly to the participant's NDIS goals.

What Should Be Included in an NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment Report

Not all reports carry the same weight with the NDIA. A strong FCA report typically includes:

• Clear links between the participant's diagnosis and their functional limitations
• Objective measures (standardised tests, not just descriptive impressions)
• Specific recommendations tied to NDIS goals — for example, "12 months of weekly physiotherapy to address gait deficits and reduce falls risk" rather than a vague statement that "physiotherapy would help"
• Clinical reasoning that connects each recommendation back to evidence gathered during the assessment
• Where relevant, comparison to a previous FCA to demonstrate change over time

A poorly structured or vague report can result in a funding request being declined or under-funded — not because the need isn't real, but because the evidence wasn't presented clearly enough for the NDIA to act on.

How to Prepare for a Functional Capacity Assessment

A few simple steps can make the assessment more accurate and more useful:

• Have your current NDIS plan on hand, along with any previous reports or assessments
• Think through your goals in advance — what specifically are you hoping physiotherapy, equipment, or modifications will help you achieve?
• Note any changes since your last plan — new symptoms, a recent fall, a hospital admission, or a change in your living situation
• Include family or carers in the conversation where appropriate — they often notice functional changes the participant may not think to mention
• Have your support coordinator's details ready, so the report can be shared directly once complete

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Functional Capacity Assessment cost, and is it NDIS-funded?

An FCA is typically funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living in an NDIS plan, the same category that funds most physiotherapy. If your current plan doesn't have physiotherapy funding allocated, speak with your support coordinator about whether an assessment can be arranged in the interim, or whether a request needs to go through your LAC first.

How long does an FCA take, and how quickly will I get the report?

The assessment itself typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. Physio to Home aims to provide a completed written report within one to two weeks, which can be extended if the situation requires more detailed follow-up or additional standardised testing.

Can a Functional Capacity Assessment be used to increase my plan funding, not just apply for a first plan?

Yes. FCAs are commonly used specifically to support requests for increased funding at plan review, particularly where a participant's needs have changed or where existing support hours have proven insufficient.

Does the report go directly to the NDIA, or to me first?

The report is provided to the participant (or their nominee) first. From there, it can be shared with your support coordinator, LAC, or submitted directly as part of your plan review documentation.

Do I need a referral to book a Functional Capacity Assessment?

No referral is required. NDIS participants, families, or support coordinators can contact Physio to Home directly to arrange an assessment.

Ready to Arrange a Functional Capacity Assessment in North Tasmania?

Physio to Home provides Functional Capacity Assessments in the participant's own home across North Tasmania — giving the NDIA an accurate, evidence-based picture of real functional need in a real living environment. Whether you're preparing for a first plan, a scheduled review, or a request for additional support, we're here to help.

Contact us today to discuss your situation — no obligation, no cost →

About the Author

Michael Ghattas, DPT

AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist | Doctor of Physical Therapy | 18 Years Clinical Experience

Michael is the founder of Physio to Home, a mobile physiotherapy practice serving older adults and rural residents across North Tasmania. He specialises in neurological rehabilitation, falls prevention, and disability-related physiotherapy delivered entirely in the home setting.

References & Further Reading

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). NDIS Operational Guidelines — Assessing Support Needs. Commonwealth of Australia, 2025. www.ndis.gov.au

Australian Physiotherapy Association. Functional Capacity Assessment: guidance for physiotherapists. APA, 2024.

NDIS. Requesting a plan reassessment. www.ndis.gov.au, 2025.

Physio to Home NDIS enquiries: physiotohome.com.