If you are preparing for an NDIS plan review or a new access request, you may have come across conflicting advice about who can complete a Functional Capacity Assessment. Some sources suggest only an occupational therapist can do one. Others mention psychologists, physiotherapists, or speech pathologists. With the NDIS rolling out significant changes from mid-2026, families are understandably wanting clear answers.
The short answer is yes. A clinical psychologist can complete a Functional Capacity Assessment, and for many participants is well-placed to do so.
This article explains what a psychologist-led FCA looks like, when it is appropriate, and how it fits within the new NDIS framework.
The short answer is yes. A clinical psychologist can complete a Functional Capacity Assessment, and for many participants is well-placed to do so.
This article explains what a psychologist-led FCA looks like, when it is appropriate, and how it fits within the new NDIS framework.
What a Functional Capacity Assessment actually is
 Gracey and Oscar, the unofficial welcome committee at Changing Minds. Functional Capacity Assessments can feel overwhelming for families, so we do everything we can to make the experience feel warm, calm, and welcoming, starting at the front door. | A Functional Capacity Assessment, often shortened to FCA, is a clinical assessment that documents how a person's disability affects their everyday life. Rather than focusing on diagnosis, an FCA looks at functional impact across the areas the NDIS uses to make planning and funding decisions. Under the new I-CAN framework, the NDIS will assess support needs across 12 functional domains, including self-care, communication, learning, social connection, emotional regulation, and mental health. An FCA provides detailed clinical evidence across these domains, written in a way that NDIS planners can use directly. |
Who can complete an FCA?
The NDIS does not limit Functional Capacity Assessments to one profession. The right clinician depends on the nature of the disability and the functional areas being assessed.
In practice, FCAs are commonly completed by:
For many NDIS participants, particularly children and young people, the functional impact of disability sits squarely within the psychological domains. Difficulties with emotional regulation, learning, attention, social functioning, behaviour, and adaptive skills fall within the scope of clinical psychology.
In practice, FCAs are commonly completed by:
- Clinical psychologists — assessing functional impact across cognitive, emotional, behavioural, social, adaptive, and mental health domains
- Occupational therapists — assessing functional impact across physical, sensory, and motor-based daily living tasks, home modifications, and assistive technology
- Speech pathologists — assessing functional impact on communication
- Physiotherapists — assessing functional impact on physical and mobility-based domains
For many NDIS participants, particularly children and young people, the functional impact of disability sits squarely within the psychological domains. Difficulties with emotional regulation, learning, attention, social functioning, behaviour, and adaptive skills fall within the scope of clinical psychology.
When a psychologist-led FCA is appropriate
A clinical psychologist is well-suited to complete a Functional Capacity Assessment when the participant has:
These presentations require clinical reasoning about why a person is struggling, what is driving the difficulties, and what kind of support is most likely to help. Clinical psychologists are trained to assess these domains.
- Autism — particularly where social, emotional, behavioural, or learning difficulties are central to daily functioning
- ADHD — including the impact on attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and learning
- Intellectual disability or learning disorders — where cognitive and adaptive functioning need to be formally assessed
- Anxiety, depression, or trauma-related difficulties — affecting daily functioning, school attendance, or social participation
- Psychosocial disability — where mental health is the primary driver of functional impact
- Complex or overlapping presentations — for example, autism with co-occurring ADHD and anxiety
These presentations require clinical reasoning about why a person is struggling, what is driving the difficulties, and what kind of support is most likely to help. Clinical psychologists are trained to assess these domains.
When an OT-led FCA is appropriate
Matching the right clinician to the right need produces a stronger report.
An occupational therapist is well-placed to complete an FCA when the functional impact is primarily:
An occupational therapist is well-placed to complete an FCA when the functional impact is primarily:
- Physical, sensory, or motor-based
- Centred on daily living tasks like dressing, showering, cooking, and mobility
- Related to home modifications, assistive technology, or equipment needs
- Focused on workplace or environmental accommodations
What a psychologist-led FCA looks like
At Changing Minds, our Functional Capacity Assessments are conducted by a clinical psychologist and are designed to align with the NDIS I-CAN framework.
Why this matters now
The NDIS is moving toward a model where a standardised Support Needs Assessment, conducted by an NDIA-appointed assessor, becomes the primary tool for determining plan budgets. This begins for participants aged 16 and over from July 2026, with changes for younger children expected to follow.
Clinical reports from psychologists continue to play an important complementary role, particularly for participants with complex or overlapping presentations. A standardised assessment alone may not capture the depth and clinical context needed to ensure a plan accurately reflects the participant's needs.
A well-structured FCA from a clinical psychologist provides that depth.
Clinical reports from psychologists continue to play an important complementary role, particularly for participants with complex or overlapping presentations. A standardised assessment alone may not capture the depth and clinical context needed to ensure a plan accurately reflects the participant's needs.
A well-structured FCA from a clinical psychologist provides that depth.
Frequently asked questions
Got questions about Functional Capacity Assessments? You are not alone. Gracey and Oscar help us tackle the questions families most commonly ask.
Can a clinical psychologist complete an FCA for the NDIS? Yes. A clinical psychologist can complete a Functional Capacity Assessment for NDIS purposes, particularly where the functional impact relates to cognitive, emotional, behavioural, adaptive, or mental health domains.
Do I need an OT or a psychologist for my child's FCA? It depends on the nature of your child's difficulties. If the primary impact is psychological, behavioural, learning-related, social, or emotional, a clinical psychologist is well-suited. If the impact is primarily physical, sensory, or related to daily living tasks like dressing or mobility, an occupational therapist may be more appropriate.
Will the NDIS accept a psychologist-led FCA? Yes. The NDIS accepts Functional Capacity Assessments from a range of allied health professionals, including clinical psychologists, where the report addresses the relevant functional domains with sufficient clinical detail. Acceptance is determined by the NDIA on a case-by-case basis.
Is a psychologist FCA the same as a diagnostic assessment? No. A diagnostic assessment establishes whether a person meets criteria for a particular condition. An FCA documents how disability affects everyday functioning, regardless of diagnosis. The two assessments serve different purposes, although they can sometimes be combined.
Do I need an OT or a psychologist for my child's FCA? It depends on the nature of your child's difficulties. If the primary impact is psychological, behavioural, learning-related, social, or emotional, a clinical psychologist is well-suited. If the impact is primarily physical, sensory, or related to daily living tasks like dressing or mobility, an occupational therapist may be more appropriate.
Will the NDIS accept a psychologist-led FCA? Yes. The NDIS accepts Functional Capacity Assessments from a range of allied health professionals, including clinical psychologists, where the report addresses the relevant functional domains with sufficient clinical detail. Acceptance is determined by the NDIA on a case-by-case basis.
Is a psychologist FCA the same as a diagnostic assessment? No. A diagnostic assessment establishes whether a person meets criteria for a particular condition. An FCA documents how disability affects everyday functioning, regardless of diagnosis. The two assessments serve different purposes, although they can sometimes be combined.
Booking an FCA
At Changing Minds, our Functional Capacity Assessments are available for children, adolescents, and young adults across the Macarthur region, including Mount Annan, Camden, Campbelltown, and Wollondilly. We work with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants.
To find out more or to book an FCA, you can contact us here or call 0427 518 774.
Learn more about our Functional Capacity Assessments
To find out more or to book an FCA, you can contact us here or call 0427 518 774.
Learn more about our Functional Capacity Assessments
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