08/09/2026
Deciding when a participant needs an OT assessment isn't always straightforward, especially when the picture is mixed or the information you've got feels out of date.
A few situations worth flagging for yourself: functional capacity that seems to be shifting without a clear reason, a plan review or AT request coming up where you'll need solid evidence behind it, or supports that don't seem to be landing the way they should.
Cognitive, behavioural or psychosocial factors affecting day-to-day function are easy to underestimate too, particularly when they're not the primary diagnosis.
The clearer you can be in a referral about what's changed, the impact on daily activities, and the participant's own goals, the more useful the resulting assessment will be, both for planning and for any funding conversation that follows.
If you're sitting on a case where something isn't quite adding up, that uncertainty is usually the clearest sign an assessment would help.
For more tips like this, download our free guide 'The NDIS Support Coordinator Guide to OT Assessments'
https://mailchi.mp/41775397ec38/y6lqzahc22