FCAs, Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
A functional capacity assessment often recommends assistive technology (AT) or home modifications, but the NDIA usually wants a specific assessment for each one before it funds them. An AT assessment explains why an item is needed and how it fits with other supports. Home modification assessments must be done by a qualified occupational therapist, the home modification assessor.
How Does an FCA Lead to AT or Home Modifications?
The FCA shows what the person can't do safely or independently. The AT or home modification assessment shows exactly what would help.
The NDIS says it uses FCA information to work out supports, which might include assistive technology or modifications to a home or workplace. Then, to decide on a particular item or change, it needs evidence that it meets NDIS funding rules and how it works within the person's overall package of supports. For example, AT that lets someone shower safely and independently might mean they need fewer support worker hours.
What Does an NDIS AT Assessment Cover?
Why the plan needs the item, how it helps with goals, and what it costs.
- How the AT will help the person work towards their goals
- Any AT they've used before
- How it will work with their other NDIS supports
- An approximate cost for mid-cost items, or a quote for high-cost items
- If there was a trial, how they can use it safely and the long-term benefits
The NDIA has a general AT assessment template. The advisor doesn't have to use it, but the evidence must include everything it asks for. The advisor can be an allied health practitioner, a rehabilitation engineer or another suitably qualified practitioner.
Need a Functional Capacity Assessment?
We'll connect you with an occupational therapy practice that does FCAs and may have space.
Who Can Do an AT Assessment?
An assistive technology assessor: a health professional with the qualifications and experience for that type of AT.
The NDIS says AT assessors need a relevant university degree or equivalent, experience with the particular type of AT, and to work within professional registration standards such as Ahpra's. Not every health professional has those specialist qualifications, so the person doing the FCA may refer you on, for example to a continence nurse specialist, an orientation and mobility specialist or a rehabilitation engineer.
Who Does a Home Modification Assessment?
A qualified occupational therapist, called a home modification assessor, for both minor and complex modifications.
- The NDIA may include funding in capacity building to explore what modifications are needed and to get the assessment
- It covers how the disability affects the person at home, the modifications needed and the home itself
- Rented homes need written approval from the landlord, and other homes from the owner or relevant body
- Complex modifications need 2 itemised quotes, or a cost estimate from a qualified estimator or quantity surveyor
Questions People Ask
Is an FCA the same as an AT assessment?
No. An FCA looks at daily functioning across six areas. An AT assessment looks at a specific item and why it's needed. One often leads to the other.
Can my OT do both the FCA and the AT assessment?
Often, if they have the right qualifications and experience for that type of AT. If not, they can refer you to an AT assessor.
Does the NDIA have templates?
Yes, for general AT assessments and for minor and complex home modifications. They're optional, but the evidence must include everything the template asks for.
Keep Reading
- OT functional capacity assessmentsWhy occupational therapists do most NDIS functional capacity assessments, what an OT FCA involves, what it can lead to, and the OT price limit for 2026-27.
- What is an FCA?A functional capacity assessment (FCA) looks at what a person can and can't do day to day due to disability.
- 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.
- 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.
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