Extending an EAP Trial Period in Australia: What Organisations Should Know
Last Updated 18/12/25 By Vanessa Cortez
EAP Programs @ Mindway EAP
EAP Programs @ Mindway EAP
Training periods are an excellent method for businesses to see whether or not the Employee Assistance Program is a suitable fit for their needs as they begin the process of looking into the program. Through the use of a trial, employers are able to become familiar with the tool, the process, and the overall experience of their staff members. However, there are certain organisations who assert they require additional time in order to arrive at a choice regarding the service that will be in effect for the long term.
Not all businesses in Australia are able to assess an employee assistance program (EAP) in a short period of time since workplaces in Australia vary in terms of size, structure, and pace. Leaders frequently enquire about the possibility of extending a trial period in order to ensure that the service is suitable for the requirements of their staff members. The article discusses the operation of EAP trials, the contexts in which delays may be justified, and the ways in which businesses might make effective use of more time without providing financial guidance.
What You’ll Learn in This Article:
Not all businesses in Australia are able to assess an employee assistance program (EAP) in a short period of time since workplaces in Australia vary in terms of size, structure, and pace. Leaders frequently enquire about the possibility of extending a trial period in order to ensure that the service is suitable for the requirements of their staff members. The article discusses the operation of EAP trials, the contexts in which delays may be justified, and the ways in which businesses might make effective use of more time without providing financial guidance.
What You’ll Learn in This Article:
- How EAP trial periods typically work
- Whether EAP trials can be extended
- Why organisations may need additional time during a trial
- How to use an extended EAP trial effectively
- What considerations support a well-informed decision
- How confidentiality and employee access are maintained during trial periods
Understanding the Purpose of an EAP Trial
During an EAP trial time, organisations are given the opportunity to observe how the service functions in actual use. As part of the trial, companies will have the opportunity to examine the onboarding procedures, visit the firm site, and observe how employees make use of the platform. The trial also gives businesses the opportunity to evaluate how simple it is to use and how well it conveys information. During this period, the emphasis is placed on gaining an understanding of fit rather than results.
How Long Is a Typical EAP Trial Period?
Training sessions for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) typically begin on the date that was agreed upon and continue for a period of fourteen days. The time period allows businesses to familiarise themselves with the system and provide their employees with access to it. The research, despite its brief length, provides us with a picture of how the EAP comes into operation. However, for certain businesses, this period of time can appear to be insufficient.
Employee:
We’re still trialling the EAP and deciding if it’s right for us.
You:
Can we still use the service during that time?
Why Organisations May Need More Time
There are certain companies that require more time because of the way they operate, the times when their staff are accessible, or the stage of the business cycle that they are now in. For instance, if those who are responsible for making significant choices are absent or if employees are away on vacation, the number of persons who participate in the trial may be limited. In circumstances like these, increasing the size of the trial helps to ensure that a review that is both fair and informative is carried out. Extra time enables organisations to make unrestricted use of the service.
Can an EAP Trial Be Extended?
Groups may, in some circumstances, request additional time to become used to something. The vast majority of the time, extensions are only granted after taking into consideration the particular circumstances and the requirements of the application. It is not the purpose of an extension to hasten or unduly delay decisions; rather, the objective is to make things more obvious. It is helpful to have an open discourse in order to determine whether or not further time should be offered.
“Good decisions come from clarity, not haste.”
- James Clear, Author and Speaker
- James Clear, Author and Speaker
Using an Extended Trial Effectively
The groups who are able to articulate their review objectives in a clear manner are the ones that benefit the most from an extension of a study. Performing this action may involve reviewing the onboarding procedure, experimenting with the booking procedures, or gaining knowledge about the aspects of the reports. Rather than making things more difficult, extended time should be used to make things more obvious what is going on. People are able to make judgements that they may feel good about when they use the trial in a careful manner.
Employee Experience During the Trial
EAP services are available to employees during the study in the same manner that they would be available to them in a regular program. As a result of the fact that employers are unable to view how each individual utilises the service, privacy is completely secured. Employees are able to get counselling, services, and help in a timely manner after they have been onboarded. Keeping everything the same throughout the trial is an effective way to demonstrate how the product would be utilised in actual life.
XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXX
Confidentiality and Data During Trial Periods
There will be no changes made to the privacy regulations throughout the testing period. If it is relevant, employers are only provided with use data that have been de-identified. Any personal information is never obtained by them. This ensures that respect and confidence from staff members is maintained from the very beginning. It does not matter if you are on trial or not; privacy lines are still very crucial.
Key Takeaways
- Trials Support Informed DecisionsEAP trials help organisations understand how services work in practice.
- Extensions May Be PossibleAdditional time can support a fair and thoughtful evaluation.
- Employee Access Remains ConsistentConfidentiality and support are unchanged during trial periods.
- Clarity Builds ConfidenceUsing trial time well leads to better long-term decisions.
Looking for Help with an EAP?
We Customise Every Program to Fit Your Organisation
We Customise Every Program to Fit Your Organisation
PAYG EAP
Flexible Support - Billed Per Session
Flexible Support - Billed Per Session
Ideal for organisations that want to start small and scale as needed. Only pay when your team uses the service.
Included in PAYG:
✔️ Pay per session model
✔️ Tailored Mindfulness Program
✔️ Professional support within 12–36 hours
✔️ 24/7/365 booking number
✔️ Real-time analytics portal
Complete EAP
All-Inclusive Support
All-Inclusive Support
Best for teams seeking consistent, proactive support with built-in sessions and added value for managers and leaders.
Includes everything in PAYG, plus:
✔️ Set sessions included per employee, per year.
✔️ Dedicated program specialist
✔️ Priority critical incident support
✔️ Monthly live leadership/manager training (mental health, leadership, communication & more)
Rated 4.8/5 stars
Get Tailored EAP Quote
Support your team with personalised and fast support. Fill out the form below to get a personalised EAP for your organisation.
We never share your info with anyone
Supporting 10,000+ Employees, HR Teams & Owners
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic EAP
"I've been using Mindway EAP for some time now, and I must say it's been an invaluable tool for my personal well-being and have heard positive feedback from the team at large"
25% of staff use services
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One Of The Best
"Used 2 EAPs before, staff never really used either of them. Came across Mindway, and the way the app works fitted right into our staff's dynamic and culture."
36% of staff use services
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Google Review
"Ryder has been great and responsive to work with while setting up the EAP from a management perspective. I have had a great response from staff who have shared with me that they have used both the app and counselling services, noting that it has helped them a lot"