When someone is recovering from an injury, illness or health condition, one of the biggest questions is often:“What can they safely do at work right now?”
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) helps answer that question.
An FCE is a comprehensive assessment that looks at a person’s current abilities and compares them to the demands of their job or future work options. Rather than relying on assumptions, it provides objective, evidence-based information to help guide return to work decisions and recovery planning.
At RehabCo, our FCEs focus on what a person can do, helping workers, employers, insurers, doctors and rehabilitation teams make informed decisions that support a safe and sustainable return to work.
Why might an FCE be needed?
Recovering from an injury is rarely straightforward. Sometimes there are questions about a worker’s capacity, suitable duties, or the best way to progress their return to work.
An FCE can help by:
- Identifying current work capacity
- Clarifying physical, psychological or cognitive limitations
- Determining suitable duties and workplace modifications
- Supporting return to work planning
- Assisting treating doctors with capacity decisions
- Identifying barriers that may be affecting recovery or return to work success
The goal is to provide a clear picture of where someone is currently at, and what steps may help them move forward safely.
Physical v Psychological FCE’s
- Physical Functional Capacity Evaluations
Many people think of lifting tests when they hear the term FCE, but a physical FCE looks at much more than strength alone.
Depending on the worker’s role, the assessment may consider:
- Lifting and carrying
- Sitting and standing tolerance
- Walking ability
- Reaching, bending and squatting
- Pushing and pulling activities
- Endurance and fatigue levels
- Repetitive movements
- Postural tolerances and work demands
Our assessors use a combination of interview, observation and objective testing to understand how a person performs work-related activities in a safe and structured environment.
- Psychological Functional Capacity Evaluations
Not all workplace injuries are physical.
Psychological Functional Capacity Evaluations are designed to assess how mental health conditions or psychological injuries may be affecting a person’s ability to participate in work. These assessments are commonly used following workplace stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, trauma and other psychological injuries.
A psychological FCE may explore a person’s ability to:
- Concentrate and maintain attention
- Process information
- Manage workplace pressure
- Interact with colleagues, customers and supervisors
- Work independently
- Problem-solve and make decisions
- Regulate emotions and manage stress
- Meet the cognitive and behavioural demands of a role
Importantly, these assessments focus on work function, not simply diagnosis. They help identify practical work options and strategies that can support recovery and successful workplace participation.
What is a Workplace-Based Functional Capacity Evaluation
Sometimes the best place to assess work capacity is in the workplace itself.
A Workplace-Based Functional Capacity Evaluation allows our assessor to observe a worker performing real tasks in their actual work environment. This provides valuable insight into both the worker’s abilities and the demands of the job.
During a workplace-based assessment, we may:
- Evaluate the demands of the role
- Observe work tasks being completed
- Identify suitable duties and task modifications
- Assess workplace risks and barriers
- Explore practical solutions to support recovery
- Develop recommendations for a safe and durable return to work
Because the assessment occurs in the real work environment, recommendations are often highly relevant, practical and easy to implement.
The RehabCo Difference
At RehabCo, we take a biopsychosocial approach to assessment. That means we look beyond the injury itself and consider the whole person, including physical, psychological, social and workplace factors that may be influencing recovery and work participation
Our Functional Capacity Evaluations are designed to provide clear, practical recommendations that help people move forward with confidence. Whether the injury is physical, psychological, or a combination of both, we focus on identifying strengths, supporting recovery and creating pathways back to meaningful work.
How RehabCo Can Help
RehabCo provides Functional Capacity Evaluations across NSW and the ACT, including clinic-based and workplace-based assessments for physical injuries, psychological injuries and complex return to work situations.
Our experienced team works collaboratively with workers, employers, insurers and treating professionals to provide independent, evidence-based recommendations that support safe, sustainable employment outcomes.
If you would like to learn more about Functional Capacity Evaluations or make a referral, contact the RehabCo team today
