Using an FCA for an NDIS Plan Reassessment
An NDIS plan reassessment needs evidence that support needs have changed significantly, and an FCA is a common way to show it. The NDIA usually wants the evidence to be recent: within 4 months of asking for the reassessment and dated after the current plan was approved. It should show what has changed, not just repeat what's already known.
When Does a Plan Need Reassessing?
When the person's situation has changed significantly and the current plan no longer meets their needs.
That could be an ongoing change in the ability to do daily activities, or in living arrangements, education, work or help from others. The NDIA may contact you about a reassessment near the end of a plan, or you can ask for one. A my NDIS contact usually checks in about 2 to 3 months before the plan's reassessment date.
What Evidence Does a Reassessment Need?
Evidence of a significant, ongoing change in support needs.
- Assessments, reports or other evidence from treating health professionals, therapists or support workers
- Recent: usually within 4 months of the request and after the current plan was approved
- How current supports are helping with goals, and what support may be needed in future
- For home and living changes, the specific changes to daily support needs and functional capacity
Need a Functional Capacity Assessment?
We'll connect you with an occupational therapy practice that does FCAs and may have space.
How Do You Time the FCA?
Close enough to the request that it counts as recent, early enough to have the report in hand.
If the reassessment is coming up at the end of a plan, ask your my NDIS contact at the check-in what evidence they'll need and by when, then book the assessment so the report is ready in time. If you're asking for a reassessment because something has changed, the evidence has to come with the request.
Only the participant can ask
The participant, their plan nominee or child representative has to complete the plan reassessment request form. The NDIS says you can't give consent to someone else, such as a provider, to ask for you.
What Happens Next?
A planner reviews the evidence, and the NDIA says it will let you know its decision within 90 days.
The outcome can be a varied plan, a new plan, or no change. You can keep using the current plan while the NDIA decides. If you don't agree with the decision, you can ask for an internal review within 3 months.
Questions People Ask
Do I need a new FCA for every reassessment?
No. You need new evidence when your needs have changed significantly. If your plan is working, the NDIA can continue it after a check-in.
How old can the FCA be?
For a reassessment request, the NDIA usually wants evidence from within 4 months of the request and after your current plan was approved.
Can my OT send the reassessment request for me?
No. The participant, nominee or child representative must make the request. Your OT can provide the report that goes with it.
Can FCA funding come from my current plan?
Usually, yes, from improved daily living in capacity building, if there's enough left. Check with your plan manager or support coordinator.
Keep Reading
- FCAs and the NDISHow the NDIA uses a functional capacity assessment: access requests, plan supports, reassessments, home and living and reviews.
- The FCA reportWhat goes in an FCA report for the NDIS: the details the NDIA looks for, how recommendations should be written, and what to check before the report is sent.
- FCAs for SIL and SDAUsing a functional capacity assessment as home and living evidence for SIL, SDA and other supports: what the NDIA asks it to show and how to send it.
- What an FCA costsWhat a functional capacity assessment costs: the 2026-27 NDIS hourly price limit for OTs, what adds hours, which budget pays and how to get an estimate.
- How to prepare for an FCAA checklist for a functional capacity assessment: what to gather, how to describe a typical day and a hard day, who to bring and what to ask the assessor.
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