Do I need a functional capacity assessment to apply for the NDIS?
The short answer
No. At the moment you do not need a functional capacity assessment to apply for the NDIS.
A functional capacity assessment (often called an FCA) is a structured report, usually written by an occupational therapist or another allied health professional. It looks at what you can do day to day, such as moving around, looking after yourself, communicating and managing your own affairs. Many people are told they need one before they apply. That is not a current rule, but the question is a fair one, because the rules are being reviewed and an assessment like this may become part of applying in the future.
What the rules say today
To become an NDIS participant, you lodge an access request and the NDIA decides whether you meet the access criteria. The Act does not say you must hand in an assessment with that request.
There is one thing to be aware of. Section 26 of the NDIS Act lets the NDIA CEO make requests after you have applied. They can ask you or another person for information that is reasonably needed to decide your request. They can also ask you to have an assessment and give them the report, or to attend an examination by a qualified person and give them that report.
So you do not need an assessment to apply, but the NDIA may still ask for one once your request is being considered.
The Act also contains two points that matter for people with Parkinson’s. A condition that comes and goes can still be treated as permanent. And in some situations, a person with a degenerative condition can meet the early intervention requirements and become a participant.
What may change from 1 January 2028
The Government has put out a consultation paper on changes to NDIS access. It proposes that new applicants complete a functional capacity assessment from 1 January 2028, and that current participants be reassessed over three years. This is a proposal, not settled law.
A Technical Advisory Group on NDIS Functional Capacity was set up in July 2026. Its job is to advise on which assessment tools and thresholds should be used to decide whether a person has substantially reduced functional capacity. Many details are still open, including who would pay for the assessments.
Other disability organisations have raised concerns that apply to people with Parkinson’s too:
- A single visit may not show the full picture. Many people can do a task once in a quiet clinic but cannot do it reliably through the day, week after week. Parkinson’s symptoms change with medication timing, fatigue and stress.
- Cost and waiting times. Specialist reports are expensive and waiting lists are long, especially outside capital cities. Groups have asked that any assessment the Government requires be free.
- Existing evidence should count. Reports from treating professionals, hospital records and earlier determinations should be accepted without asking people to repeat them, particularly for lifelong conditions.
If you are thinking about applying, it is worth keeping an eye on the outcome of this consultation, because the process may look different by 2028.
What evidence helps an access request
The NDIA looks at your functional capacity, your disability-related support needs, risk and safety, participation and independence, and your lifetime support needs. The strongest evidence explains clearly how Parkinson’s affects your ability to function safely, independently, consistently and repeatedly. You can do the WHODAS and PDQ39 questionnaires in the YOPX app to add support about how your condition affects your daily living (just complete the survey style questionnaire in the app and export a PDF to your email).
Other useful evidence can include:
- Neurologist or movement disorder specialist reports
- Occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech pathology reports
- A functional capacity assessment, if you have one
- Psychology reports
- Hospital records and falls reports
- Impact_Statement_Checklist_Carer
- A diary showing how your symptoms affect your days
- Impact_Statement_Checklist_Person_with_Parkinsons
Reports that only list symptoms are often not enough. They should describe what Parkinson’s means for your daily life, in a factual and objective tone rather than advocacy language. A functional capacity assessment is one good source of this, but it is only one of several.
How to prepare now
- Collect the reports you already have. Gather letters and reports from your neurologist, GP and allied health team. You may not need anything new.
- Start a diary. Note what is hard on good days and on bad days, how long tasks take, what help you need and any falls or near misses. Include your carer’s observations.
- Ask your treating professionals to describe function. When you request a report, ask that it explain how Parkinson’s affects daily tasks, safety and independence, and how this changes over time.
- Think about a functional capacity assessment. If your OT or another clinician offers one, it can strengthen your application. Ask about cost and waiting time first.
- Ask for help. An NDIS partner, a support person or a disability advocate can go through your evidence before you lodge.
Where to find help
Parkinson’s Australia has a free NDIS Functional Impact Workbook for people with young onset Parkinson’s. It includes evidence checklists, prompts for real-life examples, a carer impact statement template, diary pages and guides for preparing allied health reports. It can be used for access requests, plan reviews and reassessments.
PLEASE NOTE: This post is general information only. It is not legal, medical or professional advice, and every application is assessed individually. The NDIA makes the final decision, so check the latest advice directly with the NDIS, your support coordinator or your plan manager.
