Functional Capacity Assessments

An Occupational Therapy Functional Capacity Assessment (OT FCA) is a comprehensive report designed to measure an individual’s ability to perform essential daily tasks and activities.

This can also be called an Activity of Daily Living Assessment.

The assessments are performed using a combination of standardised tests, observation, and interviews to gather information about the individual’s physical, cognitive, and emotional capabilities.

• Our Functional Capacity Assessments are designed to evaluate an individual’s ability to participate in daily activities through a comprehensive approach that includes:
  • Interviews: Engaging with the individual to understand their needs and challenges.
  • Standardised Assessments: Utilising proven tools to measure various aspects of functioning.
  • Observations: Assessing real-life performance in different settings.
• These assessments and reports are tailored to each individual, whether adults or children, focusing on their specific needs and requests. They cover a wide range of areas, including:
  • Activities of Daily Living: Self-care, household chores, and more.
  • Community Participation: Social skills and engagement.
  • Mobility and Communication: Enhancing movement and interaction.
  • Sensory Processing: Understanding and managing sensory inputs.
• Our recommendations aim to support meaningful engagement in everyday activities at home, in the community, and at work. This may include:
  • Home modifications
  • Aides and equipment
  • Social skills programs
  • Managing anxiety and mental health
  • Overall wellbeing support
• Our goal is to provide personalised support that empowers individuals to thrive in their daily lives.

Cost: The cost for a OT functional capacity assessment can vary.

For example, Occupational Therapists   may charge $200.00 to $220 per hour for private clients if complerted within standard business hours.  Please note that this price is just an example and the actual cost may vary depending on what program the person is referred under (for example, prices are capped for NDIS clients at $193.99 per hour) and whether or not GST is applicable (such as for legal reports) and the specific needs of the client, whether the client requires travel to their home or comes into the clinic, where the client lives e.g. rural or remote.

Please note that medical-legal reports cost more due to their complexity. When we give a quotation for a functional capacity assessmnet that is requested for legal purposes, we need to know all the questions that need to be addressed before the quotation can be given.

Duration: On average, a basic functional capacity assessment requires 2 – 4 hours of face-to-face administration time and 3-6 hours of scoring and report writing time. Noting however, this is an estimate, the specifics of duration would need to be discussed and agreed upon during the initial session with the therapist.

OT referrals are accepted from:

• General Practice
• Self-funded patients
• Medical Specialists including Paediatritians

Funding for OT services is available from:

• NDIS
• Medicare GP Management Plans
• Private Health Extras