The NDIS Home and Living Assessment is one of the most significant — and most frequently misunderstood — assessments in the NDIS system. If you are a support coordinator, participant, or family member trying to understand whether a Home and Living Assessment is needed and what it involves, this article covers what you need to know.

What is a Home and Living Assessment?

A Home and Living Assessment is a type of Functional Capacity Assessment completed by an Occupational Therapist that specifically examines a participant’s ability to live as independently as possible, and what supports or accommodation they need to do so safely and sustainably.

The NDIS uses Home and Living Assessments as the primary evidence base for decisions about:

• Supported Independent Living (SIL) — funding for daily in-home support
• Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) — funding for specialist housing
• Individualised Living Options (ILO) — flexible, personalised support arrangements

Why is a Home and Living Assessment different from a standard FCA?

All Home and Living Assessments are Functional Capacity Assessments, but not all FCAs are Home and Living Assessments. A general FCA provides a broad picture of a participant’s functional profile across all life domains. A Home and Living Assessment takes that picture and applies it specifically to the question of how the person can live — what risks exist in their current environment, what level and type of support is required, and what accommodation or support structure best meets their needs.

The assessment also requires the OT to form a clear clinical opinion about the participant’s support needs and living options — not just describe their difficulties, but actively recommend the most appropriate pathway.

What does the assessment look like in practice?

At Sina OT, Home and Living Assessments are always completed in person within the participant’s own home and community environment. Understanding how a participant manages in the place where they actually live cannot be replicated in a clinic.

The assessment involves a detailed conversation with the participant, observation of how they manage relevant activities in the home, and review of existing clinical documentation including psychiatric reports, psychology assessments, and treating records where available. The resulting report is written to meet NDIS evidence requirements for the relevant Home and Living pathway.

Reports that rely primarily on existing documentation rather than direct in-home observation are more likely to be queried or rejected by the NDIS.

Who needs a Home and Living Assessment?

A Home and Living Assessment is typically needed when a participant is:

• Applying for SIL funding for the first time, or seeking a review of existing SIL supports
• Seeking Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
• Exploring Individualised Living Options (ILO)
• Transitioning from hospital, residential care, custody, or statutory care into the community
• Moving from child and youth systems to adult NDIS supports

How to refer for a Home and Living Assessment

Referrals for Home and Living Assessments are accepted from support coordinators, participants and their families, and other members of the participant’s care team. No GP referral is required.

At the time of referral, it is helpful to provide the participant’s current NDIS plan and goals, a brief summary of the current living situation, and any existing reports or clinical documentation. Sina OT will request additional information as needed.

Sina OT provides Home and Living Assessments in person across Adelaide and South Australia, and Melbourne.

Refer to Sina OT

Sina OT is an independent Occupational Therapy practice providing Functional Capacity Assessments across Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. All assessments are completed by experienced, registered Occupational Therapists. Services are available in English and Farsi (Persian). 400+ FCAs completed.