If you need a Functional Capacity Assessment for the NDIS, it is important to understand who is qualified to complete the assessment and what professional expertise may be relevant to your circumstances.

A Functional Capacity Assessment looks at how disability affects a person’s ability to perform everyday activities at home, at work and in the community. The NDIS states that Functional Capacity Assessments are completed by qualified occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists or medical specialists.

The most appropriate professional will depend on the person’s disability, functional needs and the purpose of the assessment. A good assessment should provide clear information about functional capacity, strengths, barriers and relevant support needs.

At Janalli Services, Functional Capacity Assessments form part of our broader Rehabilitation Counselling and professional assessment and reporting services, with a particular focus on connecting functional information with meaningful personal, vocational and employment goals.

Who Can Complete a Functional Capacity Assessment?

The NDIS identifies the following professionals as qualified to complete Functional Capacity Assessments, provided they have the appropriate qualifications and expertise:

• Occupational Therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Psychologists
• Medical Specialists

The most suitable professional depends on the participant’s disability, functional needs and the areas being assessed. Choosing someone with relevant experience helps ensure the assessment reflects the participant’s circumstances and provides useful information about their support needs.

Does the Professional’s Area of Expertise Matter?

Yes. The professional’s area of expertise should match the participant’s functional needs and the purpose of the assessment.

The NDIS identifies six functional areas that may be considered during an assessment:

• Mobility
• Communication
• Learning
• Self-care
• Self-management
• Social interaction

Depending on the participant’s circumstances, the assessment may also consider physical functioning, cognitive abilities, psychosocial functioning or participation in work and community activities. Choosing a professional with relevant expertise helps ensure the assessment provides useful information about the participant’s abilities, challenges and support needs.

What Should a Functional Capacity Assessment Provider Consider?

A Functional Capacity Assessment should focus on the participant’s individual circumstances rather than relying only on their diagnosis. The provider should consider how the person’s disability affects their daily activities, independence and participation.

The assessment may consider:

• Functional strengths
• Functional limitations
• Everyday activities
• Independence
• Support requirements
• Community participation
• Social participation
• Work or vocational activities
• Environmental barriers
• Relevant aids, modifications or supports

The NDIS recognises that functional evidence can describe a person’s ability to perform everyday activities and participate in social and vocational tasks, including the supports, aids or modifications they may require.

Who Should I Choose for an NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment?

Choosing the right provider involves checking their qualifications, experience and understanding of the participant’s needs.

• Relevant Qualifications
• Relevant Experience
• Understanding of the NDIS
• Clear Reporting
• Understanding of Your Goals

The assessment should consider the participant’s goals, including independence, community participation, education, employment or vocational activities where relevant.

Can a Functional Capacity Assessment Include Employment or Vocational Information?

Yes. A Functional Capacity Assessment can consider work-related functioning where it is relevant to the participant’s circumstances and goals.

This may include:

• Workplace participation
• Work-related tasks
• Communication at work
• Concentration and organisation
• Physical activities at work
• Workplace adjustments
• Employment readiness
• Returning to work

For participants whose functional needs affect their employment goals, Janalli Services’ NDIS Rehabilitation Counselling can help connect assessment findings with practical vocational and workplace strategies.

What Should You Expect From an FCA Report?

A Functional Capacity Assessment report summarises the findings of the assessment and explains how the participant’s disability affects their everyday functioning.

The report may include:

• Assessment approach
• Functional findings
• Strengths and limitations
• Impact on everyday activities
• Support requirements
• Relevant recommendations

The NDIS recognises that professional assessments and reports can provide evidence about the functional impact of a participant’s disability and help inform NDIS decision-making.

For more details, read Janalli Services’ NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment Report: What Does It Include?.

Meet Matthew Kyte – Rehabilitation Counsellor & Vocational Specialist

Matthew Kyte is a Rehabilitation Counsellor and Vocational Specialist at Janalli Services, providing Functional Capacity Assessments, Rehabilitation Counselling and professional assessment and reporting services for NDIS participants.

His work includes functional assessment, vocational assessment, employment and career planning, workplace adjustment recommendations and professional NDIS reports. Matthew takes a person-centred approach to understanding each participant’s functional strengths, barriers, support needs and individual goals.

Janalli Services supports NDIS participants in Logan, Southeast Queensland and across Queensland through Telehealth, where appropriate. Assessment findings can also be considered alongside vocational and employment goals where relevant to the participant’s circumstances.

To learn more about Janalli’s rehabilitation and vocational services, visit our NDIS Rehabilitation Counselling service.

FAQs

Need a Functional Capacity Assessment?

Janalli Services provides Functional Capacity Assessments, Rehabilitation Counselling and professional assessment and reporting services for NDIS participants in Logan and across Queensland.

Our approach focuses on understanding each participant’s functional strengths, barriers, support needs and goals, with relevant consideration of vocational, employment and capacity-building needs.

Choosing the Right Functional Capacity Assessment Provider

Choosing an appropriate professional for a Functional Capacity Assessment is about more than finding someone who can complete an assessment. The provider should have the relevant qualifications, experience and understanding to assess the participant’s functional needs and clearly communicate the findings. For some participants, functional capacity is also closely connected to independence, vocational goals and employment participation.

At Janalli Services, Functional Capacity Assessments are part of our broader Rehabilitation Counselling and professional assessment expertise, helping participants connect functional information with meaningful personal and vocational goals.

Need a Functional Capacity Assessment?

If you need professional assessment and reporting to better understand functional capacity, support needs or relevant participant goals, contact Janalli Services to discuss your circumstances.

Call us today on 0403-258-258
Email us at: info@janalliservices.com.au
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