What’s Included in an Australian EAP? Full Feature Comparison (2026)
Last Updated 28/1/26 By Vanessa Cortez
EAP Programs @ Mindway EAP
There are a number of things that nonprofit organizations need to do in addition to putting in place an employee assistance program (EAP). These organizations should make certain that their employees are aware of the availability of the program and that they are comfortable using it. It is feasible to achieve this goal by marketing the program on a consistent basis through the utilization of means such as emails, resources for getting started, and meetings with the team. Furthermore, leaders should emphasize the importance of mental health and offer support for the service in order to ensure that individuals are able to make use of it on a regular basis and that it is easily accessible to them. It is feasible to make it easier for individuals to have access to and make use of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by including it into pre-existing initiatives that promote health and well-being since this will make it easier for individuals to utilize the EAP. The teaching of mindfulness, the formation of peer support groups, and the implementation of flexible work arrangements are all instances of such attempts. In conclusion, businesses have the ability to modify their offerings, including their goods and promotions, in order to better meet the needs of their workforce. Monitoring the utilization of their services and gathering feedback from consumers in a manner that is discrete through their service provider are the means by which this objective is accomplished.

What You’ll Learn in This Article
  • Core services typically included in Australian EAPs
  • Additional features that may be available
  • Differences between basic and premium EAP packages
  • How to evaluate EAP offerings based on your organisation’s needs
  • Insights into pricing relative to included features

Core Services Included in Most Australian EAPs

A substantial number of employee assistance programs (EAP) in Australia provide a wide variety of services with the goal of providing staff members with support that is both immediate and confidential. These programs are designed to meet the needs of employees. The provision of short-term psychotherapy for issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, or conflict at work, crisis support that is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, assistance with financial and legal matters, tools for achieving a healthy work-life balance, and referrals to specialised healthcare or longer-term treatment are typically included in this process. In addition, this process typically includes the provision of crisis support. In most cases, this procedure also involves the provision of support at times of crisis. The presence of these essential characteristics ensures that every worker will have access to a secure and easily available means of obtaining competent help whenever they want it. This is because these features guarantee that they will have access to what they need.

Employee:
What extras should we look for beyond basic counselling?
You:
Workshops, manager support, and digital tools can greatly enhance your team’s resilience and engagement.

Additional Features Offered by Some Providers

It is of the highest essential for companies to go through the process of selecting the effective employee assistance program (EAP) plan tier for their staff members. A number of components, including counseling, crisis assistance, and referrals, are often included in basic packages. Each and every one of these components is taken care of. Because of this, they are suitable for use by smaller firms or charitable organizations that are working on a limited budget and require only a few sessions and reports. They are therefore ideal for use by the kinds of organizations that are being discussed here. There are a number of components that are included in mid-level packages. These include the addition of digital self-help tools, manager resources, and more in-depth counseling. These packages include a variety of services that are advantageous to organizations that are of a medium size. All of the services that are included in the packages that are considered to be of a mid-level quality are also included in the premium packages. In addition, the premium subscriptions offer features such as seminars, health coaching, assistance in a variety of languages, dedicated account management, and comprehensive reporting. On the other hand, due to the fact that they are more expensive per individual, they are best suited for large organizations or sectors that are prone to a great level of stress for their personnel.

Basic vs Premium EAP Packages

A considerable lot of attention is required for organizations in order to successfully complete the process of selecting the proper EAP plan tier. Counselling, crisis aid, and advice are often included as components of basic packages that are offered by the majority of organizations. The meetings and reports that are being described here are good for small businesses or nonprofit organizations who are operating on a low budget and require only a few appointments and paperwork. These organizations and businesses find the meetings and reports to be advantageous. By making use of mid-level packages, medium-sized businesses have the ability to get a wide range of services from a number of providers. The digital self-help tools, boss resources, and more in-depth counseling that are included in these packages are all included. There is no difference between the mid-level packages and the premium packages in terms of the services that are included in each of the packages. A significant number of reports, workshops, health coaching, support in a variety of languages, specialized account management, and aid in several languages are also included in this package. The fact that they are more expensive per person, on the other hand, makes them more appropriate for large companies or sectors that are subject to a tremendous lot of stress.
"Choosing an EAP isn’t just about cost, it’s about matching services to what your people truly need." - Australian HR Institute

How to Choose the Right EAP Features for Your Organisation

However, it is not always the case that the EAP that costs the most money is the best one. To be more specific, it is the one that is an ideal fit for the size, composition, and requirements of your team. Simple plans could be useful for smaller teams, while teams that are significantly larger or more varied might need services that cover a wider number of areas. Plans that are easy might be successful for smaller teams. It is essential to recognize that high-pressure professions can benefit from crisis help and resilience training, which is especially crucial when taking into consideration the issues that your industry is now facing. In addition to this, you should make sure that your budget contains features that your staff will really utilize. It is in your best interest to work with a service provider that has a strong reputation, which may be substantiated by testimonials from past clients or expertise in the appropriate field. One of the most critical things to have is a selection of delivery options, which should include in-person, video, and telephone delivery.

Pricing in 2026 (Australia) Relative to Features

The expense of EAP in Australia has stayed essentially unchanged, despite the fact that the number of options that are accessible has risen. Costing between $40 and $60 per employee per year, a basic package will cover the essentials and will be available to employees. Mid-level plans, which run from $70 to $90 a year, include both tools and instruction as part of their pricing structure. In order to acquire a premium plan, which includes personal account assistance, seminars, and lifestyle programs, you will need to pay more than one hundred dollars. When evaluating return on investment (ROI), it is essential for businesses to take into account the expenses that are connected with presenteeism, absenteeism, and turnover. A research found that for every dollar that is invested in an employee assistance program (EAP), the program may return between $3 and $8 in enhanced productivity and decreased absenteeism. This is according to the findings of the study.

Key Takeaways
  • Core Counselling is Standard
    Most EAPs provide confidential short-term mental health support.
  • Additional Features Add Value
    Workshops and digital tools can boost workplace wellbeing.
  • Match Services to Your Needs
    Customise your EAP choice based on your workforce profile and budget.
  • Pricing Reflects Features
    More comprehensive plans naturally cost more but offer greater support.
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