Gain a comprehensive understanding of an employee's current physical capacity — and whether a return to pre-injury duties is realistic — through an evidence-based FCE delivered onsite at the workplace or in our clinics.
Delivered by qualified physiotherapists and exercise physiologists. Reports designed for treaters, employers and insurers.
A KINNECT Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a 3–5 hour, evidence-based assessment of an injured worker's safe physical work capacity, used by treaters, employers and insurers to plan return-to-work or determine fitness for a role. FCEs are delivered by qualified physiotherapists or exercise physiologists at the workplace or at any KINNECT clinic in Australia, with a comprehensive report typically returned within five business days.
A Functional Capacity Evaluation is a series of standardised and non-standardised tests that determine an injured worker’s physical ability to meet the demands of their pre-injury role — supporting recovery, return-to-work planning and treatment decisions. Each assessment matches the worker’s capacity against the critical job demands of the position they need to perform.
Used by treaters, employers and insurers to plan return-to-work, agree suitable duties or determine fitness for a role.
A structured battery of validated tests, delivered consistently by qualified clinicians — not a subjective opinion.
Every report ends with clear, actionable recommendations on duties, restrictions and future rehabilitation needs.
FCEs are most commonly requested when a worker is recovering from injury and a decision needs to be made about returning to pre-injury duties, modifying duties, or moving to a different role.
Independent, evidence-based capacity assessments that inform liability, treatment and rehabilitation decisions.
Clear answers on whether an injured worker can safely return to pre-injury duties, suitable duties, or a modified role.
Objective baseline and re-test data to guide rehab progression and validate clinical impressions about capacity.
A fair, structured chance to demonstrate what they can do — and a clear recovery and return-to-work pathway from there.
Every KINNECT FCE follows the same structured methodology. What changes is where and how we recreate the job — at the workplace, or in clinic using documented job demands.
We come to the workplace. The worker demonstrates their capacity to perform their usual duties in the real environment.
We replicate the job in our clinic. Pre-injury demands are simulated using the position description, job task analysis or subjective report.
Explore our current clinic locations. Service availability varies by clinic, so contact us to confirm the right location for this service.
Each FCE covers a wide range of physical tests, selected to match the inherent demands of the role being assessed. Typical components include — but aren’t limited to — the following:
Lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling capacity across floor, waist and overhead heights.
Sustained sitting, standing, stooping, crouching, kneeling and crawling tolerances.
Walking, climbing stairs and ladders, balancing and other gross motor tasks relevant to the role.
Reaching, handling, fine motor coordination and grip strength relevant to the job task analysis.
Aerobic capacity and recovery measured against the sustained physical demand of the role.
Bespoke simulations of the critical demands identified in the position description or task analysis.
After the assessment, the KINNECT clinician prepares a detailed report summarising the findings and the recommendations. Reports are written to be used — by case managers, employers and treating practitioners — and typically returned within five business days.
The questions employers, insurers and treaters ask most often before requesting an FCE.
An FCE is a standardised, evidence-based assessment of an injured worker’s safe and sustainable physical work capacity. It measures abilities such as lifting, carrying, gripping, postural tolerance and stamina, and matches them to the real demands of a role to inform return-to-work or fitness-for-duty decisions.
Most FCEs run for 3–5 hours, depending on complexity and the demands being tested. We allow enough time to measure capacity reliably across a full range of tasks rather than capturing a single snapshot.
FCEs are delivered by qualified physiotherapists or accredited exercise physiologists experienced in occupational rehabilitation.
Common triggers include uncertainty about a worker’s capacity to return to pre-injury duties, planning suitable duties or a graduated return, a gap between reported and observed function, or a need to confirm fitness for a specific role.
A comprehensive written report is typically returned within five business days of the assessment, written so treaters, employers and insurers can act on it.
Yes. FCEs can be conducted onsite at your workplace or at any KINNECT clinic across Australia. Onsite delivery lets us assess capacity against the actual job and environment.
Comfortable clothing and enclosed footwear suitable for physical activity, any prescribed aids such as braces or orthotics, a list of current medications, and relevant medical or imaging information if available. We confirm the specifics when booking.
FCEs sit inside KINNECT’s broader Workplace Rehabilitation offer. Pair them with the services below for a full early-intervention and return-to-work pathway.
Identify suitable, realistic vocational options when a return to the pre-injury role isn't viable.
Learn moreObjective, photo-supported job demand profiles to anchor return-to-work and recruitment decisions.
Learn moreImpartial specialist assessments of a worker's capacity to safely perform the inherent role.
Learn moreOnsite assessment of the role, environment and modifications needed for a safe return to work.
Learn moreGraduated, evidence-based RTW plans agreed between the worker, employer and treating team.
Learn moreTell us about the worker, the role and where you’d like the assessment delivered. We’ll come back with a tailored quote, a clinician and the next available booking — typically same day.
Workplace Rehabilitation