The NDIS & Functional Capacity Explained
Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) exists to fund personalised support to people who live with ongoing disability.
To ensure NDIS participants are provided with the correct amount of support – and funding – they need to live as independently as possible, NDIS providers like our team at LifeLift are approved to carry out Functional Capacity Assessments.
So, just what is functional capacity?
Functional capacity refers to a person’s capacity to carry out everyday activities and tasks without support. This includes things such as bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, cooking, shopping, driving, laundry, working, caring for children, communication, learning, and more.
At LifeLift, our caring, person-centred Occupational Therapists (OTs) are NDIS approved and have undergone Functional Capacity Assessment training to be able to carry out NDIS functional capacity assessments. Sometimes these are done before a hospital discharge.
Our mobile OTs can undertake Functional Capacity Assessments for NDIS participants in Perth and select parts of regional WA from Monday to Friday.
Contact us now.
LifeLift
(08) 6244 5353
What is a NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment?
A functional capacity assessment done for the NDIS must be done by a NDIS registered OT.
There are functional capacity assessment tools and frameworks that our experienced therapists use to determine a NDIS participants’ everyday functioning but the exact nature of your assessment may be linked to the type of impairment or disability you have.
The National Disabiilty insurance Agency, which oversees the NDIS, is looking to see if a person has reduced or substantially reduced functional capacity by focusing on everyday functioning within six specific life skill areas:
- communication
- social interaction
- learning
- mobility
- self-care
- self-management
Functional Capacity Assessments can be done using NDIS funding.
How is a NDIS functional capacity assessment done?
To do a customised Functional Capacity Assessment, LifeLift OTs will meet face-to-face with NDIS participants to understand their individual NDIS goals, as well as their medical and treatment history.
They may require participants to perform everyday tasks while they observe them and/or they may ask you – or a carer or guardian (with consent) – questions about this They use established tools, forms, assessments, frameworks and templates to ensure a standardised approach, and will consider if any support you need is within normal age-related expectations.
This independent process allows OTs to identify what NDIS funding will help people get the support they need, including considering if they could benefit from home modifications, equipment, vehicle modification, therapy, appliances and aids etc.
Questions? Ask us.
Your NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment Report
After your comprehensive NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment is complete, the OT will write a report outlining the results and make recommendations. You will receive a copy of this.
Your NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment Report will be reviewed by your NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator to help them decide which funding and services to provide you, and under which NDIS support categories ie. NDIS Capacity Building, Core Supports, Capital Supports.
Book your Functional Capacity Assessment with LifeLift now.
NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment FAQs
Q1: Will the NDIS pay for my Functional Capacity Assessment?
Functional Capacity Assessments can be done with NDIS funding, yes.
Q2: How soon can my Functional Capacity Assessment be done?
Contact us and we’ll respond quickly to arrange your booking.
Q3: Do you provide other NDIS supports?
Our team covers occupational therapy, behaviour support, psychology, physiotherapy etc.
Q4: Do I need a NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment?
NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments are vital for ensuring participants get the right mix of support to live more confidently and with dignity.
Contact us for details.
Have NDIS funding and want to arrange support?
