Functional Capacity Assessment

Available in – North Brisbane, South Brisbane, Logan, Gold Coast, Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba

A functional capacity evaluation or assessment helps to work out your current abilities and level of independence. Through interviewing and observation, the therapist evaluates your ability to manage personal care, domestic tasks, and community access/participation and makes recommendations for therapy or interventions.

Our occupational therapists are able to complete Occupational Therapy Assessments for individuals living in the community with physical needs, psychosocial needs, or a combination of both. As a mobile service, we can come to your home or facility to complete the assessment.

NDIS Participants

NDIS participants have the right to be safe and to receive quality interventions. Eligible adolescents and adults seeking to access the NDIS can be supported with an evaluation from one of our qualified therapists. A functional capacity assessment is designed to understand the needs of the NDIS participant so that appropriate supports and services can be implemented, enabling the person to take part in life to their fullest potential.

More information for NDIS participants on how to understand and use your plan can be found here.

Need an assessment for your client?

Fill in this form and we will contact you to arrange the details. If you prefer to speak to an intake officer please see below.

The Do Network also offers workshop assistance and support to therapists and others who need to complete evaluations for their own clients: FCA Workshop

What is a Functional Capacity Assessment used for?

A functional capacity assessment is undertaken to work out an individual’s ability to function and what their needs are from a physical, cognitive and psychosocial framework. The assessment helps us to determine the ‘just right’ level of support for each person and tailor strategies for future care.

Functional capacity assessments also take into account whether an individual needs certain equipment, technology or modifications to enable them to live a more independent life. After an initial assessment, further assessments may be required, depending on individual needs. These may include:

  • Complex Home modification assessments

  • Assistive Technology Assessments

  • Paediatric Assessments (including sensory or motor)

OTs assess and evaluate how a person’s emotional and mental health issues impact on their participation in everyday occupations. Therapists then employ occupational, therapy-specific approaches and models as well as evidence-based interventions to support and empower the individual along their recovery journey, to participate and engage in the activities and occupations they want and need to do. This looks different for each person, but can include counselling, capacity building across activities of daily living, cognitive behavioural therapy, narrative therapy and more.

Who can benefit from a Functional Capacity Assessment?

A detailed evaluation by the occupational therapist can help to work out how a person is functioning in the world. Appropriate supports, therapy or equipment can then be put into place.

Our therapy team provides functional capacity assessments for a diverse range of people including:

  • Aged care

  • Mental Health

  • Disability/ NDIS participants who require an Occupational Therapy assessment to support their needs

  • Individuals who require equipment prescription

  • Cognitive assessment & retraining

  • Complex and Simple Home modifications such as grab rails or a ramp

  • Electric/lift chair recommendations

  • Transfer equipment recommendations such as a hoist

  • Pressure care including pressure cushion and mattress prescription

  • Specialised seating/ wheelchair prescription/ Scooter & mobility assessment

  • Stroke & neurological rehabilitation

  • Specialist disability accommodation (SDA) assessment

  • Supported independent living (SIL) assessment

  • Individual Living Options (ILO) assessment, etc

    OTs take into account how a person’s emotional and mental health issues impact on their participation in everyday occupations. Sometimes issues are linked and therefore complex. After an assessment, therapists use occupational, therapy-specific approaches and models, as well as evidence-based interventions, to support and empower the individual along their recovery journey, to participate and engage in the activities and occupations they want and need to do.

    Each person’s needs are unique; approaches can include counselling, capacity building across activities of daily living, cognitive behavioural therapy, narrative therapy and more.

Why choose The Do Network for a Functional Capacity evaluation?

The Do Network is a leader in the field of functional capacity assessment in South East Queensland. Providers seek us out for dependability and awareness of NDIS requirements, as well as our ability to deliver within a reasonable timeframe. Our comprehensive knowledge of the assessment and its requirements is built on a strong, evidence-based foundation, with all our therapists trained and supervised in this area.

Our occupational therapists work out the best ways to optimise a person’s daily independent living skills. This can include support with self-care, looking after your home, getting out and about, finding or staying in work or education, or participating in social and leisure activities.

FAQs - Functional Capacity Assessment

  • The time required for a functional capacity assessment is 15 - 20 hours. This includes face-to-face assessment, communication with other supports/therapists involved in your care, travel time, research and report writing.

  • A functional capacity assessment is a complex evaluation of your current abilities and level of independence. It is made up of interviews and observation by the therapist to look at how well you can manage personal care, domestic tasks, and community access/participation. The therapist will then make recommendations for therapy or interventions to improve your abilities.

  • In some instances, for example where an individual’s psychosocial disability is impacting their daily life, a social worker can complete a functional capacity assessment.

  • Depending on the type of disability an appropriate allied health professional, such as an occupational therapist, is best equipped and qualified to write a functional capacity assessment. General practitioners, psychiatrists and other specialist health professionals can also complete these assessments, particularly where they have a background knowledge of the client.

  • After an assessment, therapists use occupational, therapy-specific approaches and models, as well as evidence-based interventions, to support and empower the individual along their recovery journey, to participate and engage in the activities and occupations they want and need to do. This may look different for each person, but can include counselling, capacity-building across activities of daily living, cognitive behavioural therapy, narrative therapy and more.

Contact us to find out more about our functional capacity evaluations:

If you wish to discuss referrals, and appointments or have any queries, please call us.

Ph: 07 2113 2517

Functional capacity assessment referrals can also be submitted via fax or email:

Fax: 07 3445 4340

Email: admin@thedonetwork.com.au