Functional Capacity Assessments

Comprehensive disability evaluation to secure NDIS funding.

We deliver FCAs to all of rural and remote Australia.

What is an FCA?

An FCA, or a Functional Capacity Assessment, is a comprehensive evaluation of a person’s functioning. It is used to ensure every person has access to the right level of NDIS funding to maximise their independence and achieve their goals.

Refer Here For An FCA

In a rush? Need an FCA ASAP?

We offer super-fast turnaround when required. We have been known to deliver reports in under 48 hours when urgently needed by clients.

Contact our responsive and helpful team and we can personalise FCA delivery to your needs and timeline.

Contact our team
NDIS Supports

Lift Health Group will find the right supports for you.

FCAs help participants to secure different types of support, depending on their needs. Our allied healthcare team will follow up after each FCA to provide further assessments or therapy.

Core
Supports

Core supports provide assistance with basic needs and everyday activities.

Capacity Building Supports

Capacity building supports aim to build skills and independence.

Capital
Supports

Capital supports fund one-off, higher-cost items for safety and independence.

Support Coordination

Support coordinators help with navigating NDIS plans and securing providers.

Plan
Management

Plan management deals with the finances associated with an NDIS plan.

“We spend time with people — listening, asking questions, and getting to know their story. It takes time, but that’s how you build a true picture of what support makes sense. Being trusted to do that is the most rewarding part of the work.”

Matthew Belperio
Disability Assessment Manager

Home and Living Assessments

In many cases, participants require a review of their accommodation. Lift Health Group can support applications for a range of NDIS housing and living services.

ILO, or Individualised Living Options, is designed for flexibility. It enables participants to establish or maintain a chosen home environment that best suits their preferences and needs. Services and funding can be tailored to your accommodation, whether this be community housing, a home that you own or a rental property.

As part of each FCA, our clinical team performs a home and living assessment to determine if you or your client meet the ILO eligibility criteria. Our recommendations can provide the evidence needed to enable the transition into ILO or to increase the level of support within a current ILO arrangement.

SIL, or Supported Independent Living, is designed for participants with significant disabilities who require substantial support throughout the day and night. Within a SIL environment, participants are provided continuous assistance and supervision with daily tasks, such as personal care, meal preparation and household chores. The SIL model is also designed for participants to live as independently as possible, with a focus on skill development.

SIL is typically provided in shared living arrangements with other NDIS participants, although it can be tailored for those living alone, depending on individual needs.

As part of each FCA, our clinical team performs a home and living assessment to determine if you or your client meet the SIL eligibility criteria. Our recommendations can provide the evidence needed to enable the transition into SIL or to increase the level support within a current SIL arrangement.

SDA, or Specialist Disability Accommodation, is designed for participants with extreme functional impairments or very high support needs. SDA housing includes specialised features to enhance independence and safety. Depending on an individual’s needs, the following SDA types are available:

  • Improved Liveability – designed for participants with sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairments.
  • Fully Accessible – designed for participants with significant physical disabilities who require a high level of physical access.
  • High Physical Support – designed for participants with very high and complex support needs.
  • Robust – designed for participants with complex and challenging behaviours.

SDA dwellings are typically shared by a small number of individuals, fostering a supportive community environment. SDA is often combined with the SIL model to provide continuous, daily support.

As part of each FCA, our clinical team performs a home and living assessment to determine if you or your client meet the SDA eligibility criteria. Our recommendations can provide the evidence needed to enable the transition into SDA.

If you think your disability necessitates an evaluation of your home and living arrangement, contact our team and we will support you on your journey!

Our Booking Process

Booking with Lift Health Group is easy. Submit a referral form and we will guide you through the rest.

01

Submit a referral form.

02

We will send a service quote.

03

Sign the service agreement.

04

Appointment is confirmed!

Why choose us?

Dedicated To You

At Lift Health Group, we pride ourselves on the highest-quality care. This means listening to our clients and considering their preferences, needs, background and goals.

We are committed to ensuring everyone receives the support they need.

Operating country-wide

Lift Health Group operates as a fly-in fly-out service, and we are committed to serving regional and remote communities across Australia.

We deliver assessments beyond our standard locations. Where there’s a need, we’ll fly.

Minimal Wait Lists

We understand that waiting for assessments can be frustrating. Our business model gives us flexibility depending on demand.

This keeps our wait times low and enables us to meet the needs of as many people as possible.

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Functional Capacity Assessment FAQs

Our expert disability assessors will conduct a comprehensive assessment, evaluating:

  • Medical history
  • Disability information
  • Current supports
  • Daily living needs

We will also review functional domains, such as:

  • Mobility
  • Self-care
  • Cognition
  • Communication
  • Sensory processing
  • Community participation

This is performed through conversations and standardised tools like the WHODAS 2.0, PEDI-CAT and Vineland-3. Challenges, risks, behaviours of concern and NDIS goals are also documented to provide evidence for our recommendations.

Our team of disability assessors includes both occupational therapists and physiotherapists, in-line with NDIS guidelines. At Lift Health Group, we pride ourselves on our extensively trained team and our collaborative approach to FCAs.

All reports are reviewed within our diverse team for quality assurance, and your FCA will be co-signed by both a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist. This ensures our recommendations are optimal for the participant to achieve their goals.

Initial assessment times can vary depending on the complexity of the case, typically lasting between 1.5-3 hours. Report writing also varies between 10-20 hours.

FCA services are billed under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living and usually require between 15 to 25 hours in total. This includes:

  • Assessment
  • Background review
  • Communication with your support network
  • Report writing
  • Travel time (if applicable)

All services are billed in line with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits and only according to your pre-approved quote.

To help us complete your report efficiently, you may be asked to provide:

  • Your current NDIS plan (if available)
  • Past therapy or support reports
  • Medication or diagnosis summaries
  • Names and contact details of support workers or coordinators
  • Your goals and any areas of concern

Yes. Once the draft report is complete, we send it to you (and your support coordinator, if applicable) for review. You will have the opportunity to provide feedback before the final version is submitted.

Invoices are issued after completion of the report and sent directly to:

  • Your Plan Manager (if plan-managed)
  • The NDIA (if agency-managed)
  • Or you (if self-managed)

No charges are applied unless previously agreed on. For full details, see our Terms & Conditions.

We are able to complete your FCA within 7 days. However, if the assessment is more urgent, please contact our team to discuss requirements. We often have immediate capacity and we will go out of our way to meet your timeline.

Yes, FCAs can be used to help people initially get onto the NDIS.

By using an FCA from Lift Health Group as part of your application to the NDIS, in addition to securing initial funding we will also ensure your plan is tailored your specific requirements. This reduces the need for secondary FCAs if a participant’s first NDIS plan does not provide appropriate funding.

While FCAs can be used to get people onto the NDIS, they are also necessary to regularly review each person’s changing situation.

As NDIS plans expire, or if you feel your funding is not representative of your needs, an FCA will help you to achieve your goals.

Our specialist team will collaboratively create a tailored report, ensuring diverse healthcare perspectives have input on your disability and needs.

When the report is completed, we will send a copy to the key stakeholders to discuss any relevant changes required, prior to NDIA submission.

After your FCA is submitted, our team will follow-up for any further assessments that may be necessary, such as:

We can also connect you to our team of high-quality allied health workers to help you to engage your capacity building supports.

Core funding is intended to help you with your everyday life and basic needs. This includes:

  • Assistance with daily life – e.g., self-care or domestic duties.
  • Social and community participation – e.g., to attend group activities or to access the community.
  • Transport funding – e.g., to attend appointments or programs.
  • Consumables – e.g., to purchase continence aids or low-cost assistive technology.

When we perform your FCA, our clinical team will make recommendations for the right level of core supports to meet your daily needs.

Capacity building funding will help you build skills and independence for your long-term functioning. This includes:

  • Therapy services – e.g., speech therapy, occupational therapy or physiotherapy.
  • Employment supports – to help you find and maintain a paid work.
  • Support coordination – to help you secure providers and make the most of your NDIS plan.

After your FCA, our clinical team can connect you with our talented allied healthcare professionals for therapy.

Capital funding can be used for large, one-off costs for your safety, independence and accessibility. This includes:

  • Assistive technology – e.g., mobility aids or communication devices.
  • Home modifications – e.g., ramps or bathroom alterations.

Our clinical team can provide further assessments for assistive technology and home modifications after your FCA.

Still not sure? Have more questions?

We are here to help you out and our team is always happy to talk. We want to resolve any problems and provide tailored solutions for your unique needs.

Talk to our team

Get in touch to discuss anything on your mind or to have any questions answered.

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Browse our general FAQs

Find all the answers to common questions asked by our clients.

Frequently Asked Questions