What to Tell Your Client Before Their Functional Capacity Assessment
Knowing what to expect before a Functional Capacity Assessment can make a real difference — both for the quality of the assessment itself and for the participant’s experience of the process. If you are a support coordinator, family member, or carer helping someone prepare, this article covers what to share with them.
The assessment is not a test
This is the most important thing to convey. A Functional Capacity Assessment is not something a participant can pass or fail. There are no right or wrong answers. The OT is not there to catch them out or judge them. The more honest and open the participant can be, the more accurately the report will reflect their real experience.
It will be done in their own home
At Sina OT, assessments are always completed in person in the participant’s own home and community environment. Participants do not need to tidy the house or make it look a certain way — the OT is there to understand real daily life, not to assess the cleanliness of the home.
Encourage them to talk about their worst days, not just their best
People often describe how they function on a good day. Encourage participants to think about what their most difficult days look like — what they struggle to do, what they avoid entirely, and what tasks take far longer or more effort than they should. This is not about exaggerating. It is about making sure the full picture is shared.
Support people are welcome
Participants can bring a family member, carer, friend, or support worker. A support person can contribute to the conversation and help the participant remember things. This can be discussed with the practice at the time of booking.
The assessment may take several hours
A thorough FCA generally takes between two and four hours. Let participants know this in advance so they can plan around it. If fatigue is a major issue, the assessment can sometimes be completed in two shorter sessions — discuss this at the time of referral.
After the assessment
The report is typically provided within two to four weeks. It goes to whoever commissioned the assessment — usually the support coordinator or, in legal matters, the instructing legal representative.
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.
Related Insight Articles
Functional Capacity Assessment for Justice-Involved Individuals — What You Need to Know
Functional Capacity Assessment for people involved with the justice system is one of the most specialised areas of NDIS OT practice — and one of the most important. People in these circumstances frequently have significant and complex support needs, but face particular barriers to having those needs identified, assessed, and met.
Functional Capacity Assessment for Psychosocial Disability — What Makes It Different
Psychosocial disability is one of the most frequently misunderstood areas in the NDIS. The supports that people with psychosocial disability need are real, significant, and often complex — but they can be harder to demonstrate than the needs arising from a physical or intellectual disability.
What is an NDIS Home and Living Assessment — and Does Your Client Need One?
The NDIS Home and Living Assessment is one of the most significant — and most frequently misunderstood — assessments in the NDIS system.