Assessment guide
NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment — What to Expect & How to Book
A functional capacity assessment is a structured evaluation of how a person’s disability affects their everyday functioning — communication, mobility, self-care, social participation, learning, and independence. For NDIS purposes, it’s used to help build evidence of support needs, whether for a new access request, a plan review, or to support a specific funding request within an existing plan.
This page covers what an NDIS functional capacity assessment involves, who it’s for, what it typically costs, and how to prepare.
The process
What does an NDIS functional capacity assessment involve?
- Background & history
- Relevant diagnostic, medical, developmental, and support history.
- Clinical interview
- With the person and, where relevant, with family, carers, or support workers who understand day-to-day functioning.
- Standardised functional tools
- Validated measures used to evaluate functioning across relevant domains — communication, mobility, self-care, social and community participation, learning, and self-management.
- Observation, where relevant
- Direct observation of functioning in relevant settings can form part of some assessments.
- Report addressing NDIS requirements
- A written report specifically structured to address functional capacity in the format the NDIS requires, linking assessed needs to requested supports.
Because NDIS reports need to meet specific evidentiary standards, it’s worth confirming with your psychologist that they have experience writing NDIS-specific functional capacity reports, not just general psychological assessment reports.
Who it's for
Who is an NDIS functional capacity assessment for?
People applying for NDIS access
Who need evidence of how their disability affects functional capacity.
Existing NDIS participants
Preparing for a plan review, or requesting a change in funded supports.
Families & carers
Seeking documentation to support a participant’s (including a child’s) NDIS journey.
Psychosocial & cognitive disability
People whose disability relates to a psychosocial, cognitive, developmental, or intellectual disability, where a psychologist is well placed to assess functional impact.
Inclusions
What's included in an NDIS functional capacity assessment?
Typical inclusions are the clinical interview(s), relevant standardised functional measures, informant input where applicable, and a written report specifically structured to meet NDIS documentation requirements. Some assessments also include a feedback conversation to walk through the findings before the report is finalised. Confirm with your matched psychologist exactly what’s included and whether they have specific experience with NDIS report writing, since this is a distinct skill from general psychological assessment.
Cost
What does an NDIS functional capacity assessment cost?
Costs vary depending on the scope of the assessment and the complexity of the person’s support needs.
In some cases, NDIS plan funding can be used to cover assessment costs — this depends on individual plan structure and eligibility, and is worth confirming with your planner or support coordinator alongside your psychologist. Because funding pathways and costs vary significantly by individual circumstance, we’d rather point you toward confirming a specific quote once your situation is clarified than provide a general figure here.
Before you go
How to prepare for an NDIS functional capacity assessment
- Gather existing documentation
- Diagnostic reports, medical history, previous NDIS plans or correspondence, and any prior assessments.
- Think through daily examples
- Concrete situations showing how your (or your child’s) disability affects communication, mobility, self-care, or participation are more useful to an assessor than general descriptions.
- Involve people who know the day-to-day
- A family member, carer, or support worker can often provide valuable context, particularly for functioning that varies across settings.
- Clarify what the report needs to support
- Whether it’s for initial access, a plan review, or a specific funding request, letting your psychologist know upfront helps them structure the report appropriately.
How Pair helps
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Pair matches you with an AHPRA-registered psychologist based on your specific situation. Our matching process considers clinical fit, practical factors like cost and session format, and — optionally — identity-based preferences.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a functional capacity assessment to access the NDIS?
Evidence of functional impact is generally required as part of an NDIS access request, though the specific evidence needed depends on your circumstances. A functional capacity assessment is one way to provide this evidence — check current NDIS requirements or speak with a support coordinator for guidance specific to your situation.
Can a psychologist write a report for an NDIS plan review?
Yes — psychologists can conduct functional capacity assessments and write reports to support plan reviews, provided they have relevant experience with NDIS documentation requirements.
Does NDIS funding cover the cost of the assessment?
This depends on your individual plan and circumstances. Some participants can use existing plan funding for assessments; others may need to fund an initial assessment for access purposes before a plan exists. Confirm your specific situation with a planner or support coordinator.
How long does an NDIS functional capacity assessment take?
This varies by complexity and scope, but is typically spread across more than one session, particularly where informant input or observation is involved. Your psychologist can give you a specific timeline once they understand your situation.
Can this be used alongside a diagnostic assessment (like ADHD or autism)?
Yes — functional capacity assessment focuses specifically on how a condition affects day-to-day functioning, which is a different (though related) question to diagnosis. Some people need both a diagnostic assessment and a functional capacity assessment as part of their NDIS journey.
Is telehealth an option for this type of assessment?
Some components can often be conducted via telehealth, though direct observation (where used) may require an in-person component depending on the clinician’s approach. Confirm the format with your matched psychologist.
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