Looking for a Mobile Occupational Therapist Near You?

Belong Health provides mobile Occupational Therapy services throughout Perth, Mandurah, Rockingham, the Peel Region and surrounding areas of Western Australia.

Our Occupational Therapists complete ADL Assessments within real-life environments whenever possible, allowing us to observe how everyday tasks are completed in familiar settings and provide practical, individualised recommendations.

You can also learn more about our Occupational Therapy services, Find an OT Near you, and our Telehealth Occupational Therapy if you require ongoing therapy following your assessment.
What Is an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assessment?

An Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assessment is an Occupational Therapy assessment that evaluates how a person manages the everyday tasks required for independent living.

Rather than focusing solely on a medical diagnosis, an ADL Assessment considers how a person's physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional and environmental factors affect their ability to participate in daily life.
The assessment aims to identify:
  • Tasks the person completes independently
  • Areas where assistance may be beneficial
  • Safety considerations
  • Opportunities to increase independence
  • Environmental barriers
  • Equipment or assistive technology that may support participation
  • Therapy recommendations that may improve everyday function
Occupational Therapists use this information to develop practical, evidence-based recommendations that are tailored to the individual's goals, lifestyle and support needs.
​
Families preparing for an assessment may also find our What to Expect From an OT Assessment and Preparing for an OT Assessment resources helpful.
What Are Activities of Daily Living?

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are the everyday tasks people perform to care for themselves and participate in daily life.
Occupational Therapists generally assess several areas of functioning.

Personal Care
Basic self-care tasks may include:
  • Showering and bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
  • Brushing teeth
  • Toileting
  • Continence management
  • Eating and drinking
These activities are often referred to as the Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADLs) and are fundamental to everyday independence.

Domestic Activities
Occupational Therapists may also assess everyday household tasks such as:
  • Preparing meals
  • Cleaning
  • Laundry
  • Making the bed
  • Washing dishes
  • Household organisation
  • Pet care where relevant
These tasks often require a combination of physical ability, planning, sequencing and safety awareness.

Mobility and Transfers
Mobility forms an important part of daily function.
Your Occupational Therapist may assess:
  • Walking
  • Balance
  • Endurance
  • Getting in and out of bed
  • Chair transfers
  • Toilet transfers
  • Shower transfers
  • Stair negotiation
  • Moving safely throughout the home and community
Where mobility challenges are identified, recommendations may include therapy strategies, mobility equipment or referral for an Electric Mobility Equipment Assessment, Falls Risk Assessment, or Assistive Technology Assessment where appropriate.

Community Participation
Everyday independence extends beyond the home.
Depending on your goals, the assessment may consider your ability to:
  • Attend appointments
  • Access public transport
  • Drive or travel safely
  • Shop independently
  • Participate in recreation
  • Maintain social connections
  • Access education or employment
  • Engage in community activities
These areas are particularly relevant when supporting NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments and independent living planning.

Cognitive and Organisational Skills
Many daily activities rely on cognitive functioning as much as physical ability.
Your Occupational Therapist may consider:
  • Attention
  • Memory
  • Problem solving
  • Planning
  • Organisation
  • Sequencing
  • Initiating tasks
  • Safety awareness
  • Decision making
  • Executive functioning

Where more detailed cognitive assessment is indicated, your Occupational Therapist may recommend a dedicated Cognitive Assessment or refer you to our Understanding the MoCA resource for further information.
What Is the Difference Between ADLs and IADLs?

Occupational Therapists often assess both Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) to gain a comprehensive understanding of functional independence.
​
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
ADLs refer to the essential personal care tasks that people perform every day, including:
  • Showering
  • Dressing
  • Toileting
  • Grooming
  • Eating
  • Mobility

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
​IADLs are more complex activities that allow a person to live independently within the community.
These may include:
  • Shopping
  • Meal planning
  • Cooking
  • Household management
  • Managing finances
  • Medication management
  • Using technology
  • Driving or organising transport
  • Managing appointments
  • Caring for dependants
  • Community participation
Assessing both ADLs and IADLs provides a broader understanding of a person's strengths, support needs and long-term functional capacity.

This information is particularly valuable when completing Functional Capacity Assessments, Supported Independent Living (SIL) Assessments, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Assessments, and broader Occupational Therapy reports.
What Does an ADL Assessment Involve?

Every Activities of Daily Living Assessment is tailored to the individual's goals, age, health condition and reason for referral.
Your Occupational Therapist may complete the assessment within your home, school, workplace, residential care facility or another relevant environment to gain an accurate understanding of your everyday functioning.

The assessment may include:
​
Functional Observation
Rather than relying solely on questionnaires, Occupational Therapists observe how everyday tasks are completed within real-life environments.
This may include observing:
  • Meal preparation
  • Personal care routines
  • Transfers
  • Mobility
  • Household tasks
  • Community access
  • Organisation of everyday activities
Functional observation helps identify both strengths and barriers while allowing practical recommendations that are meaningful and achievable.

Physical Assessment
Depending on the reason for referral, your Occupational Therapist may assess:
  • Balance
  • Strength
  • Coordination
  • Fine motor skills
  • Gross motor skills
  • Endurance
  • Fatigue
  • Range of movement
  • Mobility
  • Postural control
These findings may contribute to recommendations for therapy, equipment or environmental modifications.

Cognitive Assessment
Daily living skills often depend on cognitive functioning.
Your Occupational Therapist may assess:
  • Memory
  • Attention
  • Executive functioning
  • Planning
  • Organisation
  • Sequencing
  • Problem solving
  • Insight
  • Safety awareness
If more detailed assessment is required, we may recommend a comprehensive Cognitive Assessment to further explore areas affecting everyday function.

​Environmental Assessment
The environment plays an important role in a person's ability to complete everyday activities safely and independently.
As part of the assessment, your Occupational Therapist may consider:
  • The layout of the home
  • Access into and throughout the property
  • Bathroom safety
  • Kitchen accessibility
  • Bedroom setup
  • Flooring and trip hazards
  • Lighting
  • Outdoor access
  • Storage and organisation
  • Safety equipment currently in use
Small environmental changes can sometimes make a significant difference to safety, confidence and independence.

Where appropriate, recommendations may include environmental modifications, assistive technology, adaptive equipment or referral for a more detailed Home Safety Assessment, Minor Home Modifications & Complex Home Modifications, or Assistive Technology Assessment.
Standardised Assessment Tools That May Be Used

Occupational Therapists combine clinical observations with standardised assessment tools where appropriate.
The assessment tools selected depend on the person's:
  • Age
  • Diagnosis
  • Goals
  • Functional concerns
  • Funding requirements
  • Assessment purpose
Examples of assessments that may be used include:
  • Barthel Index
  • Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (Lawton IADL)
  • Functional Independence Measure (FIM), where appropriate
  • Modified Barthel Index
  • WHODAS 2.0
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
  • Standardised paediatric assessments where relevant
  • Clinical observation and task analysis

​Not every assessment tool is appropriate for every individual. Your Occupational Therapist will select assessment methods that best address the referral questions and provide meaningful clinical information.
Supporting NDIS and Functional Capacity Assessments

Activities of Daily Living Assessments often form an important component of a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA).
Understanding how a person manages everyday activities helps Occupational Therapists describe functional capacity across multiple NDIS domains.
​
Depending on the referral, ADL findings may provide evidence regarding:
  • Daily living skills
  • Personal care
  • Functional mobility
  • Community participation
  • Learning and applying new skills
  • Self-management
  • Communication supports
  • Home environment
  • Risk and safety
  • Informal supports
  • Mainstream supports
  • Funded supports
  • Assistive technology requirements
This information may assist with:
  • NDIS Access Requests
  • NDIS Plan Reviews
  • Change of Circumstances requests
  • Assistive Technology funding applications
  • Housing recommendations
  • Therapy planning
  • Goal development
If broader functional evidence is required, your Occupational Therapist may recommend a comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessment.
Do You Also Need a Functional Capacity Assessment?
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Activities of Daily Living Assessments and Functional Capacity Assessments both explore how people manage everyday tasks, but they serve different purposes. If you're unsure which assessment is right for you, our guide explains when a Functional Capacity Assessment may be recommended.
​
Learn more Do I Need a Functional Capacity Assessment?
Supporting Functional Independence

The purpose of an ADL Assessment is not simply to identify difficulties.

It is equally important to recognise an individual's strengths while identifying practical strategies that may support greater participation, safety and independence.
Recommendations may include:
  • Occupational Therapy intervention
  • Home programs
  • Environmental adjustments
  • Daily routine strategies
  • Assistive technology
  • Adaptive equipment
  • Minor home modifications
  • Complex home modifications
  • Falls prevention strategies
  • Support worker recommendations
  • Community participation strategies
Every recommendation is tailored to the individual's goals, preferences and everyday environment.

If specialised equipment is recommended, an Assistive Technology Assessment may provide additional clinical evidence to support funding applications and ensure the most appropriate equipment is prescribed.
Who Can Benefit from an ADL Assessment?

Activities of Daily Living Assessments may benefit individuals across all stages of life.

Children
Children may benefit where there are concerns regarding:
  • Autism
  • ADHD
  • Developmental delay
  • Intellectual disability
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Fine motor development
  • Sensory processing
  • Emotional regulation
  • Daily self-care skills
  • School readiness
  • Participation at home or school
Children's assessments are completed in partnership with parents, carers and educators where appropriate.
Families may also wish to explore our Paediatric Occupational Therapy, Sensory Profile Assessments, Autism Support Hub, ADHD Resources, and Motor Planning and DCD resources.

Teenagers
Adolescents may benefit from an ADL Assessment when developing greater independence with:
  • Personal care
  • Household responsibilities
  • Community access
  • Organisation
  • Time management
  • Executive functioning
  • Preparing for adulthood
  • Transition planning
These assessments can help identify supports that promote participation in education, employment and independent living.

Adults
Adults may benefit following:
  • Stroke
  • Acquired brain injury
  • Neurological conditions
  • Mental health conditions
  • Physical disability
  • Chronic illness
  • Surgery
  • Workplace injury
An ADL Assessment can help identify supports that promote independence both at home and within the community.

Older Adults
Older adults often benefit from ADL Assessments when experiencing:
  • Falls
  • Reduced mobility
  • Frailty
  • Dementia
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Arthritis
  • Reduced confidence
  • Changes in memory
  • Difficulty managing household tasks
Assessments may support ageing in place, home safety planning and maintaining independence for as long as possible.

Older adults may also benefit from our Falls Risk Assessments, Cognitive Assessments, Home Safety Assessments, and Ageing at Home Occupational Therapy services.
A Collaborative, Person-Centred Approach

At Belong Health, we recognise that every person's circumstances, goals and priorities are unique.
Our Occupational Therapists work collaboratively with:
  • Individuals
  • Parents and carers
  • Families
  • Support Coordinators
  • Plan Managers
  • General Practitioners
  • Specialists
  • Allied health professionals
  • Schools
  • Employers
  • Residential care providers
This collaborative approach helps ensure recommendations are practical, individualised and aligned with the person's everyday life and long-term goals.
Mobile Occupational Therapy Across Western Australia

Belong Health provides Activities of Daily Living Assessments throughout:
  • Perth
  • Mandurah
  • Rockingham
  • Peel Region
  • Surrounding areas of Western Australia
Where clinically appropriate, assessments may be completed:
  • In your home
  • At school
  • Within the community
  • In residential care
  • In clinic
  • Via telehealth
Completing assessments within familiar environments often provides a more accurate understanding of everyday function and allows recommendations to be tailored to real-life situations.
Why Choose Belong Health for an ADL Assessment?

Choosing the right Occupational Therapy provider is an important part of achieving meaningful outcomes.
At Belong Health, our Occupational Therapists provide evidence-based, person-centred assessments that focus on understanding how people participate in everyday life.

Our team supports:
  • Children
  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Older adults
  • NDIS participants
  • Private clients
  • My Aged Care clients
We work across a broad range of presentations, including disability, neurological conditions, developmental differences, rehabilitation, ageing and complex support needs.

Following your assessment, we provide practical recommendations that may include therapy strategies, equipment recommendations, home modifications, environmental changes and referrals to other services where appropriate.
Get Started

If you or someone you support is experiencing increasing difficulty managing everyday activities, an Activities of Daily Living Assessment can provide valuable information about current abilities, support needs and opportunities to improve independence.

Our Occupational Therapists can help determine whether an ADL Assessment is appropriate or whether another assessment, such as a Functional Capacity Assessment, Falls Risk Assessment, Cognitive Assessment, Assistive Technology Assessment, or Home Safety Assessment, may better meet your needs.

Belong Health provides Occupational Therapy assessments across Perth, Mandurah, Rockingham, the Peel Region and wider Western Australia.

​Contact our friendly team today to discuss your referral, funding options or assessment requirements.
​Call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us an email here
Frequently Asked Questions - ADL Assessments

What is an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assessment?
An Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assessment is an Occupational Therapy assessment that evaluates how a person manages everyday tasks such as showering, dressing, preparing meals, moving around the home and participating in community activities.
The assessment helps identify strengths, support needs and recommendations that may improve safety, independence and participation in everyday life.

What is an ADL Assessment in Occupational Therapy?
In Occupational Therapy, an ADL Assessment focuses on understanding how physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional and environmental factors affect a person's ability to complete everyday activities.
Occupational Therapists may use clinical observations, interviews and standardised assessment tools to develop practical recommendations tailored to the person's goals.

What are Activities of Daily Living?
Activities of Daily Living are the everyday tasks people complete to care for themselves and live as independently as possible. Examples include showering, dressing, eating, toileting, personal hygiene, moving around the home and transferring between surfaces such as beds and chairs.

What are the five basic Activities of Daily Living?
The five basic Activities of Daily Living commonly include:
  • Personal hygiene, such as showering and grooming
  • Dressing
  • Eating
  • Toileting
  • Functional mobility and transfers
Occupational Therapists may also assess additional activities depending on the person's goals and support needs.

What is the difference between ADLs and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living?
ADLs refer to basic personal care tasks required for everyday living.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, or IADLs, involve more complex activities that support independent community living, such as shopping, meal preparation, medication management, transport use, household tasks, managing finances and organising appointments.

Who may benefit from an ADL Assessment?
An ADL Assessment may benefit children, adolescents, adults and older adults who are experiencing changes in their ability to manage everyday tasks.
This may include people living with disability, neurological conditions, developmental differences, mental health conditions, chronic illness, age-related changes or those recovering from injury or surgery.

When is an ADL Assessment recommended?
An ADL Assessment may be recommended when someone is finding everyday tasks more difficult, requires evidence for an NDIS application or plan review, is returning home after hospital, is experiencing falls or mobility concerns, requires assistive technology or home modifications, or wants to maintain independence as they age.

What happens during an ADL Assessment?
Your Occupational Therapist will discuss your goals, medical history and current routines before observing how everyday tasks are completed.
Depending on the purpose of the assessment, this may include observing personal care activities, mobility, transfers, meal preparation, household tasks, cognitive functioning, sensory processing and community participation.

How long does an ADL Assessment take?
The length of an ADL Assessment depends on the complexity of the referral and the areas being assessed. Some assessments may be completed within a single appointment, while others involve multiple visits, observations and report writing.

What assessment tools do Occupational Therapists use during an ADL Assessment?
Occupational Therapists may use a combination of clinical observations, interviews and standardised assessment tools.
Depending on the individual, this may include tools such as the Barthel Index, Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, WHODAS, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and other age-appropriate assessments.

Can an ADL Assessment be used for the NDIS?
Yes. Activities of Daily Living Assessments are commonly used to provide information about everyday functioning and may contribute evidence for NDIS access requests, plan reviews, Functional Capacity Assessments and funding recommendations.

Is an ADL Assessment the same as a Functional Capacity Assessment?
No. An ADL Assessment focuses specifically on everyday living skills, while a Functional Capacity Assessment is broader and evaluates multiple areas of functioning, including mobility, communication, learning, self-management, community participation and daily living skills.

Can an ADL Assessment recommend assistive technology?
Yes. If the assessment identifies that equipment may improve safety, independence or participation, your Occupational Therapist may recommend assistive technology. Depending on your needs, a separate Assistive Technology Assessment may also be recommended.

Can an ADL Assessment recommend home modifications?
Yes. If features of the home environment are affecting safety or independence, your Occupational Therapist may recommend environmental changes, minor home modifications or complex home modifications where appropriate.

Can children have an ADL Assessment?
Yes. Children may benefit from an ADL Assessment if they experience challenges with self-care, dressing, toileting, feeding, school routines, sensory processing, motor skills or other everyday activities.

Can older adults have an ADL Assessment?
Yes. ADL Assessments are commonly completed for older adults experiencing reduced mobility, falls, frailty, dementia, Parkinson's disease or other health conditions that affect independence.
Recommendations may support ageing in place, home safety and maintaining participation in everyday activities.

Can an ADL Assessment support My Aged Care services?
Yes. ADL Assessments can provide valuable information regarding an individual's functional abilities, support needs and recommendations that may assist with aged care planning and maintaining independence at home.

Do you complete ADL Assessments in the home?
Yes. Whenever appropriate, Belong Health completes Activities of Daily Living Assessments within the person's usual environment. Home-based assessments allow Occupational Therapists to observe everyday tasks in real-life situations and provide practical recommendations.

Can ADL Assessments be completed at school or in the community?
Yes. Depending on the reason for referral, Occupational Therapists may complete assessments within schools, workplaces, community settings or other environments where everyday activities occur.

Can an ADL Assessment be completed by telehealth?
Some components of an ADL Assessment may be completed via telehealth where clinically appropriate. Suitability depends on the person's goals, functional needs and the information required for the assessment.

Will I receive a written Occupational Therapy report?
Yes. Following the assessment, you will receive a comprehensive report outlining the assessment findings, functional strengths, areas of support need and recommendations.

Who can refer someone for an ADL Assessment?
Referrals may come from the individual themselves, parents, carers, GPs, specialists, Support Coordinators, Plan Managers, hospitals, schools, aged care providers, insurers or other allied health professionals.

What happens after the ADL Assessment?
Following the assessment, your Occupational Therapist will analyse the information collected, prepare a detailed report and discuss recommendations with you where appropriate.
Recommendations may include Occupational Therapy intervention, equipment, environmental modifications, further assessments or referrals to other health professionals.

How do I prepare for an ADL Assessment?
Before your assessment, it can be helpful to think about the everyday tasks you would most like to improve, your goals and the situations you find most challenging.
You may also wish to gather relevant reports, NDIS plans or medical information.

Does Belong Health provide ADL Assessments across Western Australia?
Yes. Belong Health provides Activities of Daily Living Assessments throughout Perth, Mandurah, Rockingham, the Peel Region and surrounding areas of Western Australia.
Depending on assessment requirements, appointments may be completed in the home, school, community, clinic or via telehealth where clinically appropriate.
Related Resources

​Occupational Therapy Assessments Helpful Guides Related Occupational Therapy Services
Belong Health's Resource Hub
To further support your child's development, visit our Resource Hub for additional activities, tips, and tools tailored for various needs and diagnoses.
​Last reviewed: July 2026
This page is reviewed periodically to reflect current evidence, clinical practice and relevant NDIS guidance.

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​Referrals to Belong Health
We are Medicare and Private Health fund registered for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.

EPC/Team care arrangements/Chronic disease (CDM) or GP management plans and self-referrals are all acceptable.

WA NDIS Registered Provider  
Medicare
You can get a referral from your/your child’s GP for OT on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan this gives you 5 sessions for OT per calendar year with a $53 rebate available on each session or a Helping Children with Autism/PDD/ or an eligible disability package (20 sessions between allied health professionals, as set up by a Paediatrician/Psychiatrist) which gives your child under 16 years a $75 rebate per session for the 20 sessions, you can use up to 10 sessions per Health Professional (up to 10 for OT) and you will need a separate referral letter from your child’s Paediatrician for each Allied Health Professional you are seeking services from. 
Private Health
Your Private Health fund may cover up to 75% of the cost of OT sessions if this is included in your cover, be sure to call them or check your policy for details.

No referral or self referral
You do not require a referral for accessing OT
NDIS Registered Provider
We are an NDIS Registered Provider
Whether you or your child have NDIS funding that is NDIS Managed, Third Party Plan Managed or you are Self-Managing your funds, you are able to use your funding to cover the full cost of therapy services plus travel costs. You will need provide us with your/your child’s NDIS number and plan details ahead of your first session. Once you have booked a session or contacted us, our team will be in touch to discuss our service agreement and provide you with our services price list. 
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