What Does a Functional Assessment Look At?
A functional assessment for the NDIS looks at how disability affects six areas of daily life: communication, learning, mobility, self-care, self-management and social interaction. The assessor talks with the person and the people who support them, watches everyday tasks where they can, and often uses standardised questionnaires. The result is a picture of what the person can do and where they need help.
What Are the Six Areas?
They're the same six areas the NDIA uses to decide whether someone meets the disability requirements.
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Mobility | Moving around the home and community, transfers, using mobility aids |
| Self-care | Dressing, bathing, grooming, going to the toilet, eating |
| Communication | Being understood and understanding others, by speech, writing or other means |
| Learning | Taking in and remembering new information, learning new skills |
| Social interaction | Making and keeping relationships, joining in with others, hobbies and social activities |
| Self-management | Thinking, memory and decision-making, managing money, appointments and daily routines |
The NDIS also mentions work-related tasks such as lifting, carrying and typing, and leisure activities, among the examples of what might be assessed.
How Is Functional Capacity Measured?
Usually with a mix of interview, observation and standardised tools. The mix depends on the person and what the report is for.
- An interview with the person, and often family, carers or support workers who know their routines
- Watching everyday tasks at home or in the community, such as making a drink, showering set-up or catching transport
- Standardised questionnaires or rating scales, so the results can be compared and repeated
- Reading existing reports from doctors, therapists and schools
Need a Functional Capacity Assessment?
We'll connect you with an occupational therapy practice that does FCAs and may have space.
Which Standardised Tools Does the NDIA Prefer?
The NDIA lists preferred tools by primary disability. None is compulsory, but using a listed one helps the NDIA read the evidence.
| Primary disability | Tools the NDIA lists |
|---|---|
| Autism, intellectual disability, developmental delay | Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (Vineland-III); WHODAS 2.0 for 17 and over or PEDI-CAT for 16 and under |
| Acquired brain injury | Care and Needs Scale (CANS) for 17 and over; WHODAS 2.0 for 17 and over; PEDI-CAT for 16 and under |
| Cerebral palsy | Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS); also MACS and CFCS |
| Psychosocial disability | A functional capacity assessment, which may include LSP-16, HoNOS or WHODAS |
| Other disabilities | WHODAS 2.0 for 17 and over; PEDI-CAT for 16 and under |
This is a selection. The NDIS page on examples of disability evidence has the full list, including tools for hearing and vision impairment, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and stroke.
What Doesn't an FCA Do?
It doesn't decide eligibility or funding. Only the NDIA can make those decisions.
An assessor can describe what the person needs and recommend supports, but the NDIA weighs the report with everything else it has. The NDIS also notes that people who help gather evidence, such as NDIS partners, can't tell you whether you'll be eligible.
Questions People Ask
What is a functional assessment in the NDIS?
An assessment of how disability affects daily life across communication, learning, mobility, self-care, self-management and social interaction. The NDIA uses it as evidence.
Is WHODAS required for the NDIS?
Not required, but WHODAS 2.0 is on the NDIA's list of preferred evidence for people 17 and over for several disabilities. PEDI-CAT is listed for 16 and under.
Does the assessor need to see me at home?
Not always, but watching real tasks in real places often gives the clearest picture. Ask the assessor what they plan to do and where.
Can family members take part?
Yes. Assessors often talk with family, carers or support workers. The NDIS also says carers and providers can give their own evidence of daily impact.
Keep Reading
- 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.
- 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.
- FCAs for childrenFunctional capacity assessments for children and teenagers, including autism: the tools the NDIA lists for under 17s, who can do them and how to prepare.
- Who can do an FCAWho can do an NDIS functional capacity assessment: OTs, physiotherapists, psychologists and specialists.
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