Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) · Workers Compensation (NSW)
Functional Capacity Evaluation for workers compensation claims
A functional capacity evaluation measures what an injured worker can safely do — lifting, carrying, standing, sitting, reaching and sustained tasks — and matches it against the demands of their role. Under the NSW workers compensation scheme, Nexus Rehab coordinates the evaluation as a SIRA-approved workplace rehabilitation provider, then reports the findings to the insurer and the worker's nominated treating doctor. The evaluation measures capacity rather than providing treatment; it establishes safe work capacity so a return-to-work plan is built on facts.
How an FCE works under workers compensation
Under the NSW workers compensation scheme, workplace rehabilitation services are pre-approved before they are delivered. Nexus seeks the insurer's approval for the evaluation, then arranges a time with the worker and, where relevant, the employer. The evaluation itself is a structured, standardised assessment of work capacity: it measures tolerances such as lifting, carrying, standing, sitting, reaching and sustained tasks, and matches them against the pre-injury role or proposed suitable duties. Findings are documented objectively and focus on what the worker can safely do. The report then feeds the return-to-work plan and gives the nominated treating doctor and the insurer evidence to work from when setting suitable duties and reviewing the certificate of capacity.
Who refers and who funds
An FCE under workers compensation can be referred by the insurer or scheme agent case manager, the employer, or the worker's nominated treating doctor. In NSW an injured worker can also nominate their own workplace rehabilitation provider — that includes Nexus, and it includes any other approved provider. Whoever initiates it, Nexus coordinates the evaluation across all parties: worker, employer, insurer and the healthcare team. Make a referral and Nexus arranges pre-approval with the insurer before anything is booked, so there are no surprise costs for the worker or the employer.
What the report gives you
The report sets out objective, measured findings: the worker's safe physical capacity, the tasks and hours they can manage, and how those match to suitable duties. It gives the insurer evidence for funding decisions and gives the nominated treating doctor information to consider alongside the certificate of capacity. Because the findings are framed around what is safe now, the report supports a graded, durable return to work rather than an open-ended one. Coverage is all of NSW, metropolitan and regional.