How Our Functional Capacity Assessments Align with NDIS Standards
At Seeds Occupational Therapy, we know how important it is for your Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) to meet the expectations of the NDIS. A well-written report can make a big difference in helping you or your loved one access the right supports.
If you’re new to the process, you might be wondering what the NDIS is actually looking for, and how we make sure our assessments provide the right kind of evidence. Let us walk you through it.
What Does the NDIS Want to See in an FCA?
The NDIS doesn’t just look at diagnoses or medical history. Instead, it focuses on how a person’s condition affects their day-to-day life. The goal is to understand what kinds of supports are needed to help the person live safely, independently, and meaningfully.
When reviewing a Functional Capacity Assessment, the NDIS is usually looking for:
A clear picture of how the person functions across different areas of life
Evidence of functional limitations, not just a list of conditions
Specific support needs, such as help with daily activities, social participation, or mobility
Links between the person’s goals and the support that will help them achieve those goals
Recommendations that meet the NDIS criteria for being reasonable and necessary
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How We Structure Our Reports to Meet These Standards
We’ve carefully designed our FCA process to align with what the NDIS needs to make fair and well-informed decisions. Here’s how we do that.
We Use the WHO-DAS 2.0 Framework
The WHO-DAS 2.0 is a tool that helps us measure how someone is functioning in six important areas:
Understanding and communication
Getting around in different environments
Looking after oneself, like hygiene and meals
Getting along with others and forming relationships
Managing everyday responsibilities like chores, school, or work
Participating in family life and the broader community
We explore each of these areas through a combination of parent or participant interviews, questionnaires, clinical observation, and real-life examples. This helps us paint a clear picture of both strengths and challenges.
We Look at Capacity and Performance
The NDIS wants to know not only what someone can do in a perfect setting, but also what they actually do in real life. This is the difference between capacity (what is possible with support) and performance (what happens day to day, often without support).
In our assessments, we make sure to explain both. For example, a person might be physically able to shower independently but avoid doing so due to sensory sensitivities, executive functioning issues, or chronic fatigue. We include those details so that the NDIS understands the full picture.
We Connect the Dots Between Needs and Goals
NDIS funding is designed to help participants pursue their own goals. That’s why our reports always ask about short-term and long-term goals — and then clearly explain what supports will help the person move toward them.
Whether the goal is to build independent living skills, rejoin the workforce, manage mental health, or simply feel more confident in the community, we make sure the assessment reflects those aspirations and links them to support recommendations.
We Provide Clear, Practical Recommendations
NDIS planners and support coordinators appreciate when an FCA includes clear recommendations that are easy to understand and justify. Our reports outline suggested therapy hours, assistive technology, home supports, skill-building programs, and other services in a way that aligns with the NDIS funding criteria.
We take care to explain why each recommendation is clinically justified and how it will benefit the person’s functional capacity and quality of life.
Supporting You Every Step of the Way
We know that navigating the NDIS can feel overwhelming. Our job is to make that journey a little easier by giving you a high-quality, personalised FCA that reflects your real needs and strengths.