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NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments for Adults


Workshop Duration: 2.5 hours

Cost: $150.00

Not sure where to start with an NDIS functional capacity assessment?
Want to write clearer reports that explain participant needs and support funding requests?

This workshop takes you through the FCA process, from planning your assessment and gathering evidence to writing your report.

Purchase this workshop

What will you learn?

Build a structured, evidence-informed approach to NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments for adults, with new sections on plan change and review pathways, support determinations, the High Support Needs Safeguard Pathway and an FCA template walkthrough

  • Define functional capacity in the NDIS context, including the purpose of an FCA and when it’s required
  • Apply the ICF framework to explore function across daily living, self-care, community access and participation
  • Conduct assessments using a structured process – from referral screening through to observations, interviews, standardised tools and report writing
  • Identify and communicate the participant’s functional limitations, support needs and associated functional benefit
  • Use NDIA-aligned language, including support descriptors and ratios, to strengthen clinical justification
  • Select and interpret appropriate standardised assessments and integrate findings with observational data
  • Write clear, well-supported reports, with practical examples of support recommendations across Core, Capital and Capacity Building categories
  • Understand Short Term Accommodation eligibility considerations and their relevance to FCA evidence and recommendations
  • Explore NDIS plan change and review pathways, support determinations and the High Support Needs Safeguard Pathway
  • Work through a basic FCA report template to support your report structure and writing process


Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is designed for allied health professionals who complete functional capacity assessments under the NDIS – whether you’re new to the process or seeking to refine your approach.

It will be particularly useful for:

  • OTs in private practice – strengthen your clinical reasoning, align reports with funding criteria and refine how you gather and present evidence
  • Community and home-based OTs – learn how to assess real-world function and support needs in everyday environments
  • OTs involved in report writing – build your skills in writing clear, NDIA-aligned reports that communicate functional impact and justify support recommendations


Why attend?

Enhance your professional practice with exclusive access to:

  • A clear, structured process for conducting functional assessments under the NDIS
  • Tools, templates and practical language to streamline your workflow
  • Examples and insights from experienced practitioners working in NDIS contexts
  • Strategies to connect functional evidence with support needs and funding criteria
  • Guidance on plan change and review pathways, support determinations and safeguard eligibility
  • Practical support for writing clear, defensible reports that communicate your clinical reasoning

 
What's included?

  • Gain online access to the workshop – live workshops are delivered via Zoom, while self-paced options include access to recorded sessions
  • Download workshop slides and any resources provided by the presenter
  • Enjoy six months of access to the recording and resources via your Verve OT Learning Library
  • Receive a certificate of completion for your CPD records, available via email upon completion of the workshop


Terms of purchase

Please note that each workshop purchase provides access for one person only. If you would like multiple team members to access this workshop, each person must purchase the workshop seperately.

Beginner Level

The content of this workshop is suitable for therapists who are new to the topic area and require foundational knowledge.

The workshop assumes little or no prior experience and focuses on core concepts, terminology, frameworks and practical introductory skills.

What are the different levels?

Functional Capacity Assessment Report Template

Guidance on the layout of a report and the necessary features to include to prepare detailed and defensible reports for submission to the NDIS. Now includes additional sections related to high support needs, eligibility for short-term respite and more. Provided in Word document format for you to adapt for your own practice.

High Intensity Support Skills Descriptors

An NDIS Practice Standards document provided for easy reference alongside the FCA report template, to support your recommendations for high intensity supports. This relates to OT recommendations for complex care-related supports (e.g. complex bowel care, enteral feeding support, ventilator support).

Included with your workshop in your Verve OT Learning Library

Considering more than one workshop?

 

Add them all to your cart and finalise your purchase in one easy step

About the Presenter

Sarah Collison is an Occupational Therapist and the Director of Verve OT, specialising in assistive technology, home modifications, and complex functional assessments for NDIS participants. She leads a team of 55 OTs servicing the Sydney and Blue Mountains regions, delivering in-home and community-based supports to NDIS participants.

As a trainer and presenter, Sarah has educated thousands of OTs across Australia, equipping them to confidently navigate the complexities of the NDIS. She is the founder of Verve OT Learning, an education hub that empowers OTs to deliver high-quality, evidence-based services.

Sarah is also the facilitator of the NDIS OT Community of Practice, a network of over 12,200 OTs, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy for better participant outcomes. In addition, she is the co-host of the OT Unplugged podcast, where she brings real conversations and practical insights to OTs navigating the NDIS space.

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What Are Others Saying?

"I found the workshop very informative and helpful. The framework used to write NDIS Functional Assessments which was outlined in the workshop, was clear and comprehensive. Its important OTs are aware of all components within such an assessment so as to ensure clients receive the funding they need." 

Susan B, Occupational Therapist

"It was a great resource for an OT who isn't too familiar with NDIS and just needed a basic overview of what a functional Ax entails and what NDIS is looking for. Really brought back core OT skills and assessments into the webinar which was great!"

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Verve OT Learning Workshop Categories

Beginner

Suitable for therapists who are new to the topic area and require foundational knowledge.

The workshop assumes little or no prior experience and focuses on core concepts, terminology, frameworks and practical introductory skills.

Intermediate

Suitable for therapists who already have a basic understanding of the topic and some practical experience applying it in clinical practice.

The workshop builds on foundational knowledge and explores more detailed reasoning, application and problem-solving.

Advanced

Suitable for experienced therapists who are already working in this area regularly.

The workshop assumes strong foundational knowledge and focuses on complex clinical reasoning, nuanced decision-making, advanced application and higher-level practice considerations.

All levels

Suitable for therapists across a range of experience levels.

While some concepts may be more familiar to experienced clinicians, the content is designed to be accessible and valuable regardless of prior knowledge.

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