- adelehadley
- Oct 11
- 4 min read
Understanding Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA) for Children under the NDIS
If your child is receiving (or applying for) NDIS funding, you may have heard about something called a Functional Capacity Assessment, or FCA.
It can sound a little formal — but at its heart, an FCA is a supportive process designed to understand how your child participates in their everyday life, and what supports might help them to do more of the things they love.
At Growing Occupational Therapy, we complete FCAs for children and families across Melbourne to help guide NDIS planning, ensure supports are matched to your child’s needs, and highlight the wonderful progress they’re making.
What Is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a detailed, evidence-based report completed by a qualified Occupational Therapist (OT). It describes how a child manages daily routines, activities and participation — at home, at school, and in the community.
Rather than focusing on a diagnosis, the FCA explores what your child can do independently, what they need help with, and how their environment supports or limits participation.
It’s about real life, not just test scores.
What Does an FCA Assess?
When completing an FCA, your OT will look closely at how your child functions across key areas of daily life, including:
Self-care: dressing, feeding, toileting, hygiene
Play and social participation: interacting with peers, sharing, taking turns
Fine and gross motor skills: balance, coordination, handwriting, motor planning
Sensory processing and emotional regulation: coping with noise, textures, or transitions
Cognitive skills: attention, memory, problem-solving
Communication and participation: routines, following instructions, group activities
Community and school life: engagement in classroom activities, sports, excursions
We use a combination of standardised assessments, clinical observations, and conversations with parents, carers, and teachers to build a full picture of your child’s functional abilities.
At Growing OT, our team follows the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework — meaning we look at your child’s strengths, challenges, and environment together to understand their overall participation and wellbeing.
Why Are FCAs Important for the NDIS?
The NDIS looks at functional capacity — how a person’s disability impacts their ability to take part in daily activities — when deciding what supports are “reasonable and necessary.”
An FCA helps the NDIS understand:
What supports your child needs to achieve their goals
How their disability impacts daily life
Why therapy, equipment, or other supports are essential
Whether current supports are adequate
You might need an FCA when:
Applying for NDIS access
Preparing for a plan reassessment
Requesting additional or different supports
Providing updated evidence for a review or school transition
A clear, well-written FCA can make a big difference in ensuring your child receives the right support to continue growing and thriving.
What’s Involved in the Process?
Our approach at Growing OT is child-centred, supportive, and flexible. Every FCA includes:
Initial discussion and background information.
We’ll chat about your child’s history, current supports, and goals.
Assessment sessions
Your child will take part in play-based and practical activities designed to reflect real-life skills. Sessions may occur in the clinic, home, or school — wherever your child feels comfortable.
Parent and teacher input
You know your child best, and your insights are vital. We’ll gather your perspective and any relevant reports from teachers or other therapists.
Comprehensive report and recommendations
Your OT will analyse all findings and prepare a detailed, NDIS-ready report highlighting your child’s functional abilities, areas of need, and recommended supports.
What’s Included in the Report?
Your FCA report will provide:
An overview of your child’s background and supports
Assessment findings across multiple developmental areas
A summary of strengths and challenges
How your child’s disability impacts daily life
Recommendations for therapy, supports, or assistive technology
Links to NDIS criteria (“reasonable and necessary” supports)
This report can be submitted directly to the NDIS or your planner as evidence for funding decisions.
Timeframes and Costs
Because FCAs are comprehensive and evidence-based, they take time to complete thoughtfully.
A typical FCA includes around 10–15 hours of OT time, covering:
Face-to-face assessment
Collating reports and background information
Communicating with schools or other professionals
Report writing and recommendations
Costs usually range from $1,900–$3,000, depending on complexity and setting.
For NDIS participants, FCAs are generally funded through the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living budget.
How You Can Help Prepare
Your involvement makes a huge difference in creating an accurate and meaningful report.
You can help by:
Sharing recent school reports, therapy notes, or medical letters
Providing examples of tasks your child finds tricky
Letting us know what strategies already help at home or school
Being open about daily challenges — honesty helps us capture what’s real
The FCA process is not about perfection; it’s about painting a full picture of your child’s world.
Our Approach at Growing OT 🌱
At Growing Occupational Therapy, our goal is to make the FCA process feel supportive, transparent, and empowering for families.
We take the time to ensure:
Your child feels comfortable and understood
You feel informed throughout every step
The final report reflects your child’s individuality and your family’s goals
We believe every child has the potential to grow — our role is to help the NDIS see what supports will help make that possible.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re considering an FCA for your child or would like to discuss whether it’s the right next step, we’d love to chat.
📍 Growing Occupational Therapy – Moonee Ponds, VIC
📞 Contact us to discuss your child’s needs or request a quote.
Together, we’ll help your child grow with confidence — at home, at school, and in their community. 🌱
Comments