Are you stuck trying to find the best structure for your FCA report?
Here is the option you've been looking for!
This is much more than a template...
Within the template I've added comments sharing my information gathering tips, some ideas for you to consider, and links to helpful resources and webpages.
There are also different formatting options built in so you can choose the style and level of detail required for your business or individual client - just delete the options you don't need!
Add your branding and you're ready to go!
This is a special launch price until the end of February - after that, the price goes up!
Here's the key things you need to know...
This FCA template is written with adult NDIS participants in mind. While the format may be suitable for use with paediatric clients, the examples provided and comments inserted into the template to enhance understanding are based on adult clients.
This FCA template is not endorsed by the NDIS; no approved template has been provided by the NDIS. This template has been developed following consultation with senior occupational therapists within the disability insurance sector, including those with experience working within the NDIA and in completing medicolegal functional capacity assessments.
Use of this template does not guarantee your recommendations will be approved. This is dependent on the quality of your information gathering, the clarity of your writing, the strength of the evidence you provide, and how the report is used by the NDIS planner.
You may get advice from individual support coordinators, LACs or planners that advise you to do something differently to how it has been set out in this template. This advice can be inconsistent and often relates to personal preferences and previous experiences, rather than direct advice from the NDIA itself. Consider the feedback you receive from others and make changes to the template if you feel it is appropriate for your client/caseload situation. You are welcome to provide this feedback for consideration in future template reviews.
The original template is long! This is because there are multiple formatting options and extra examples provided to enhance your understanding and to allow you to easily customise the template to suit your preferences. Once you start trimming down the parts you don't need it will halve in size.
This is a comprehensive FCA template. If the participant's funding is limited, you will not be able to fill in every section with as much detail as I have provided. Be clear on what the purpose of the FCA is, and what level of detail you can provide within the hours available to you.
This is a special launch price until the end of February - after that, the price goes up!
Meet the template creator!
Clare Batkin - Your OT Tutor
I'm a proud OT Nerd who is on a mission to help you become a better OT who loves what you do, through making professional development simple, practical and worth it!
I have over 16 years experience working as an OT across a variety of caseloads in the public and private sector. I have experience completing independent medicolegal FCAs for people undergoing reviews at the AAT (now known as the ART) and regularly provide report review, supervision and consultancy services for occupational therapists undertaking FCAs.
After three years of positive feedback about my comprehensive FCA course - The OT Guide to Completing a Functional Capacity Assessment - I decided it was time to produce a comprehensive template to go along with it!
This is a special launch price until the end of February - after that, the price goes up!
Here's what else you'll get when you buy the template
I don't just want this to be a template that you write into without really understanding what you're writing or why you're writing it. So besides the tips and links added in comments throughout the template, I've also pulled together some of my most helpful NDIS-related videos and webinars to share with you too!
YOTT Tutorial: NDIS report writing
In this quick 30-minute webinar, I'll teach you 3 practical skills to enhance the quality of your NDIS report writing. We'll cover:
How to describe your client's function
How to present the findings of your standardised assessments
How to reference research evidence to strengthen your recommendations
This is a special launch price until the end of February - after that, the price goes up!
Here's a little sneak peek for you...
Do you need an FCA template AND a step-by-step online course?
Check out my comprehensive on-demand online course "The OT Guide to Completing a Functional Capacity Assessment"
You'll have the option to add-on the FCA template when you buy the online course. Here's a little bit about the course:
Instant access to 8 hours of CPD for 6 months
Learn a repeatable, step-by-step process
Downloadable resources, quizzes, case study examples, transcripts and a workbook
Bonus access to the Your OT Tutor Learning Library
Access a discussion board to ask Clare questions
You'll also be able to access these free resources!
When you purchase the template you'll also get immediate access to my free Learning Library, which includes:
- Downloadable resources for recording your CPD
- Webinars and resources on NDIS report writing and FCAs
- Ask me anything sessions on AAC, pressure care mattresses, working as a sole trader, supporting students, finding a job and more!
- Short videos with practical tips for beginners including providing clinical handover, answering tricky questions, and conducting assessments.
Check your inbox or junk mail for your login details!
Do you have a question about the template?
Is this appropriate for all allied health clinicians or just OTs?
This FCA template is written from an Occupational Therapy perspective. While it may be suitable for use by other health professionals completing FCAs, some of the content included may be considered outside of normal scope of practice for non-OTs. It is recommended you seek supervision from an experienced health professional of your own discipline (if you are not an OT) to determine if any variations of this FCA are required.
Will Functional Capacity Assessments still be needed when Support Needs Assessments start?
The short answer is - nobody knows. While there are plans to comment Support Needs Assessments in mid-2026, there are still many unanswered questions about the roll out and logistics. There is potential that FCAs will continue to be required in some circumstances even once Support Needs Assessments commence, however the details are not known. Even if FCAs are no longer required, you may find this template and the comments provided within it, assist you to improve your report writing clarity for other NDIS and non-NDIS reports - so there will still be value even if it is not needed long term.
Will this template guarantee that my recommendations will be funded?
This FCA template is not endorsed by the NDIS (but no approved template has been provided by the NDIS!). This template has been developed following consultation with senior occupational therapists within the disability insurance sector, including those with experience working within the NDIA and in completing medicolegal functional capacity assessments. Use of this template does not guarantee your recommendations will be approved. This is dependent on the quality of your information gathering, the clarity of your writing, the strength of the evidence you provide, and how the report is used by the NDIS planner. You will also potentially get mixed feedback from specific planners, LACs or support coordinators; often this advice is inconsistent and personal preference rather than a directive from the NDIA itself, so consider the feedback and if it conflicts with anything provided in this template, you can choose if making changes would be beneficial for your client or caseload.
Am I allowed to share this template with other clinicians in my workplace?
Yes, you can share the template within the same company - this is so the template can be used in a way that allows consistency across your workplace. BUT this doesn't mean you can share the template with your OT friend, physio mother-in-law, or that 'super nice person you met at a conference'. You are more than welcome to recommend this webpage for them to purchase themselves, but as a solopreneur I rely on fair purchasing to keep providing my services and products at affordable prices. If in doubt, please feel free to ask.
How long will I have access to the template for?
When you purchase the template it will be immediately delivered to your email inbox and you will also be provided access to it via a Learning Management System; this is where your bonus webinar and video recordings will be kept. You'll be able to access the LMS content for 12 months, which means if there are any FCA template updates in that time, you'll be able to access the updated version for free!
Is this template included with your course The OT Guide to Completing a Functional Capacity Assessment?
No, it is not included, due to the depth of the content within the template. The course contains a two-page report guide with section headings only. After the initial template launch, there will be an option to purchase the template at a discounted rate alongside purchasing access to the course.
Is this template available for free for Alliance or Connector members?
No, unfortunately not, due to the depth of the content within the template. The Your OT Tutor memberships are also targeted at any OTs, not just those working within the NDIS, so it has been excluded to keep costs down. After the initial launch, members will be able to purchase the template for a discounted price. The Alliance membership does however include access to some other NDIS resources, including the webinar "NDIS FAQs: What you're asking most in 2025" and the online course "Navigating the NDIS: A beginner's course for clinicians. Find out more about Your OT Tutor memberships below.
Is this template suitable for paediatric Functional Capacity Assessments?
This template was created with examples, tips and links to extra resources with adult NDIS participants in mind. The overall structure and many of the examples and principles will be applicable to a paediatric caseload, especially older adolescents, but there are no paediatric specific examples included within this template.
This is a special launch price until the end of February - after that, the price goes up!
Interested in seeing what else is available from Your OT Tutor?
Check these out!!
The YOTT Alliance
Join the Your OT Tutor membership, the YOTT Alliance, and get access to on-demand content, live workshops and Q&A sessions, journal clubs and course discounts. It's affordable and open to ALL OTs and OT students, so sign-up today!
YOTT Connector
This membership is built specifically for OT students to help them connect the dots between what they are learning at university, and what they need to know to be real-life OTs. With weekly live tutorials and an on-demand library, it's packed full of value!
The YOTT Journal Club
Have you been searching for a journal club that's online, available live and on-demand, and that focuses on how we can apply research evidence to our everyday practice? Then I've got you covered! It's open to all OTs and OT students.
NDIS CPD Bundle
If you're new to the NDIS, these CPD bundles are going to be just the start you need! There are options for OTs and other allied health professionals, with courses on Functional Capacity Assessments, NDIS Report Writing and more, so check out what's included!
INTERESTED IN ACCESSING MORE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY RESOURCES, COURSES, BLOGS, TIPS AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES?
TESTIMONIALS
Clare, with this course you've really set the industry standard. I've completed just about every course on FCA for OT's out there and this is by far the most in-depth, presented in such a systematic and clear way - the effort you've put into making this course is abundantly clear, and honestly I'm so grateful that you've created this to kindly share with your professional network. This course gets a solid 5/5 for me - thank you so so much! :)
Anonymous Occupational Therapist
Clare's dedication to facilitating growth in skills and knowledge is unparalleled, reflected in her mission to 'help occupational therapists to LEARN, GROW, and EXCEL.' Her expertise in how to best support OT students during placements in almost unparalleled in Australia. Equally impressive is her generosity with her time, connecting people to resources and individuals that can further their careers. Clare is indeed a vital asset to our profession.
Dave J - Director and Occupational Therapist
I commend Clare for her ability to effectively communicate complex concepts and create an engaging learning environment. Her passion for empowering clinicians and ensuring high-quality assessments that align with the core principles of the NDIS is truly commendable....I have found Clare to be approachable and responsive, always willing to provide answers and support when needed. Overall, Clare is an invaluable asset to any educational program or training initiative.
Kumar E - Principal Occupational Therapist
As a busy practice owner, I’ve absolutely loved having this resource available for my new grads . Even though I’ve got plenty of my own guides and sample FCA reports to share with them , what I lack is time to sit down and go through these step by step to make sure they truly understand the process. The 8 hours worth of online learning has been a massive investment for me and a valuable resource for my team. Thank you Clare Batkin!
Angie C - Director and Occupational Therapist
Clare has been an invaluable resource for me as a new graduate OT - I regularly check her business page: Your OT Tutor and have recommended my colleagues do the same for easy to digest updates and tips! Clare has gone out of her way to assist me with my CPD portfolio and provided me with such a helpful template to use (a life saver!). Clare is extremely helpful, approachable, and very responsive despite her busy schedule.
Brodie S - New Graduate OT
Clare has done a fabulous job with spearheading 'Your OT Tutor', a journal club that has really helped me stay up to date with the current evidence on topics directly relevant to my practice. Her approach is comprehensive yet practical, given how time-poor clinicians often are, and I am very much looking forward to our 2023 sessions. I highly recommend Clare to other OTs - those starting out as well as others who are more established in the profession - she is an absolute asset to both.
Natalie J - Owner & Principal Occupational Therapist