An FCA describes how a person functions and recommends supports within the OT's scope. It does not decide NDIS funding or eligibility, it does not diagnose, it does not replace a driving, equipment, home-modification or behaviour-support assessment, and at Seeds it is not a medico-legal report. Agreeing its purpose before you book matters, because one report will not answer every service's question.
It does not decide funding or eligibility
An OT can explain why support is recommended, including its purpose, frequency or intensity where the evidence supports that detail. The NDIA makes NDIS decisions. Services Australia makes Disability Support Pension decisions.
Neither body is required to fund or approve something simply because it appears in a privately commissioned report. The relevant eligibility and funding requirements still apply.
It does not replace every other assessment
This FCA service is not a diagnostic assessment. Evidence about diagnosis, treatment and permanence may need to come from an appropriately qualified treating professional.
A general FCA also does not automatically provide a driving assessment, a detailed equipment prescription, a home modification design or a specialist behaviour support assessment. It may identify why one of these is needed. Before commissioning further work, check what information is already available and what the receiving service actually requires.
It cannot observe what was not assessed
A report should identify the methods used and their limits. Information about a task may come from the person, a family member or an existing report rather than direct observation.
When evidence is insufficient, the assessor should explain the uncertainty. They should not infer that a person can safely complete a task merely because it was discussed, or turn an unobserved difficulty into a measured finding.
It is not a report written to secure a preferred result
The purpose and relevant questions can be agreed with the person commissioning the assessment. The clinical conclusions must still follow the evidence.
This does not mean conclusions can never change. A factual error, a misunderstanding or relevant new information may require reconsideration. A request for a particular funding outcome, without supporting evidence, is different.
Legal proceedings and privacy
Seeds does not offer an expert witness or medico-legal reporting service through this FCA process. A clinical FCA may still be relevant to a legal matter, but its suitability should be discussed with the lawyer or advocate involved. Court or tribunal instructions may require a different service.
Personal information is handled under applicable privacy and professional obligations. Consent and lawful authority matter when records are shared; paying for an assessment does not automatically entitle someone to another person's health information. There are also circumstances where disclosure is permitted or required by law.
Tell us at enquiry stage who will use the report and the decision it needs to inform. That allows the scope and any limitations to be discussed before you commit to the assessment.