Allied health and therapy
NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment
An NDIS functional capacity assessment shows how your disability affects your everyday life, and what support you need because of it. It’s one of the most useful pieces of evidence for your NDIS plan. On Solotude, you can find independent occupational therapists who do them.
Last updated October 2026
What it usually covers
- Personal care and self-care
- Mobility, inside and outside your home
- Communication and social interaction
- Learning, memory and planning
- Household tasks and managing money
- Community access, work and study
How it works
- The OT gathers background, like existing reports and your plan goals.
- They meet with you, often at home, to talk and to watch you do everyday tasks.
- They may use standardised assessment tools.
- They write a detailed report with recommendations for supports, equipment and therapy.
When you might need one
- Before a plan reassessment, to show your current support needs
- When your needs have changed, like after an injury or a change in your health
- When applying for supported living or a big increase in support
- When starting out with the NDIS and building your evidence
Who provides functional capacity assessments?
Functional capacity assessments are usually done by occupational therapists. Other allied health professionals, like physiotherapists or psychologists, sometimes assess the parts of daily life that relate to their field.Occupational therapists
Complete most functional capacity assessments and write the report. About NDIS occupational therapists · Occupational therapists in SydneyHow much does NDIS functional capacity assessments cost?
Therapy is usually paid from your Capacity Building budget, under Improved Daily Living. The NDIS sets an hourly price limit for each type of therapy, and it applies to time spent on assessments, sessions and writing reports. Therapists can usually also claim some travel time to come to you. A functional capacity assessment usually takes several hours across the visit, scoring and report writing. Ask the OT for an estimate of total hours before you book, and check you have enough therapy funding to cover it. Every provider on Solotude shows their rate on their profile, so you know the cost before you message them. For current price limits, check the official NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.Finding functional capacity assessments on Solotude
- Create a free account. It takes a couple of minutes and you don’t need your NDIS number. Create a free account
- Search for occupational therapists by your suburb, the days you need and the support you’re after.
- Read profiles and see exactly what Solotude has checked for each provider.
- Message providers directly. Your phone and email stay private until you choose to share them.
- Agree the support and the price in a service agreement between the two of you.
Frequently asked questions
What is an NDIS functional capacity assessment?
It’s an assessment, usually by an occupational therapist, of how your disability affects every area of your daily life and what support you need. The report is often used as evidence for your NDIS plan.Do I need a functional capacity assessment for the NDIS?
It’s not always required, but it’s often very helpful, especially before a reassessment or when your needs change. Your planner, LAC or support coordinator may ask for one.How much does a functional capacity assessment cost?
It’s charged by the hour within the NDIS price limit for therapy. The total depends on how long the visit and report take, so ask for an estimate first.Who can complete a functional capacity assessment?
Occupational therapists do most of them. Other allied health professionals may assess the areas related to their field.Related services
