Who Can Do a Functional Capacity Assessment?
The NDIS says a functional capacity assessment is done by an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist or medical specialist who is qualified to make the assessment. Occupational therapists do many NDIS FCAs because daily living is their focus. The best choice is a professional relevant to the person's primary disability, and ideally one who already knows them.
Which Professionals Can Do an FCA?
The four the NDIS names, each bringing a different focus.
| Professional | Often a good fit when |
|---|---|
| Occupational therapist | The question is how the person manages everyday tasks, routines, home and community life, equipment or housing |
| Physiotherapist | Movement, mobility, balance and physical function are the main issue |
| Psychologist | Cognition, behaviour, learning or psychosocial disability are central |
| Medical specialist | A specialist such as a psychiatrist, neurologist or paediatrician treats the primary disability |
Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists are registered with Ahpra, and anyone can check a practitioner on the public register of practitioners.
Can a GP Do a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A GP isn't one of the professionals the NDIS lists for FCAs, but GPs can give other important evidence.
A GP can confirm the diagnosis and treatment history, write a letter, fill in the supporting evidence form, or complete section 2 of the access request form. The NDIS lists GPs among the most common treating health professionals for supporting evidence. For a detailed picture of daily function, the NDIA generally prefers an assessment from an allied health professional or specialist relevant to the primary disability.
Need a Functional Capacity Assessment?
We'll connect you with an occupational therapy practice that does FCAs and may have space.
Does the Assessor Need to Know the Person Already?
It helps. The NDIS says evidence from a treating professional who has worked with you for at least 6 months is useful.
That isn't always possible, especially for a first FCA. A new assessor can still do a thorough assessment, and can draw on reports from people who know the person well. What matters is that the evidence is recent, specific to the person and relevant to their primary disability.
How Do You Choose an FCA Provider?
Check registration, ask about experience with the person's disability and age group, and get the cost in writing before you start.
- Are they registered with Ahpra? You can check on the public register
- Have they done FCAs for this purpose before, such as an access request, SIL or a plan reassessment?
- Do they work with children, adults or both, and with this disability?
- How many hours do they expect, what's included, and does the report cost extra?
- Can parts be done at home, or by telehealth?
- If the plan is NDIA-managed, are they a registered NDIS provider? NDIA-managed funding can only pay registered providers
Questions People Ask
Can an occupational therapist do an FCA?
Yes. The NDIS lists occupational therapists first among the professionals who do FCAs, and they do many of them.
Can a psychologist do a functional capacity assessment?
Yes, psychologists are one of the four professions the NDIS names. They're often a good fit when cognition, behaviour or psychosocial disability is the main issue.
Does my FCA provider need to be NDIS registered?
If your plan is NDIA-managed, yes: the NDIS says NDIA-managed funding can only pay registered providers. If someone else manages it, ask your plan manager. Either way, check the practitioner's Ahpra registration.
Can a support worker do an FCA?
No. But support workers, carers and family can give their own evidence about daily life, which the NDIS says helps build a fuller picture.
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.
- 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 we choose practitionersThe checks every practice has to pass before we connect them with anyone.
- 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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