Complete Guide to Setting Up an Employee Assistance Program in Australia
Last Updated 28/1/26 By Vanessa Cortez
EAP Programs @ Mindway EAP
One of the most effective strategies for significantly enhancing the health and productivity of your workforce is the implementation of an Employee Assistance Program, which is also referred to as an EAP in certain circles. This is one of the most successful ways. Employees who are going through challenges in their personal lives as well as in their professional lives may be able to receive assistance from these private programs with the possibility of receiving assistance. They are able to provide you assistance in locating applicable tools and help from knowledgeable individuals. The introduction of employee assistance programs, which are also referred to as EAPs on occasion, has developed into an integral component of the health practices that are implemented in the workplace in Australia. They are a responsible method to making the workplace a more enjoyable place to be on the job, in addition to supporting persons in complying to psychological safety criteria. Their primary function is to help individuals adhere to these requirements. You will become acquainted with the idea of an employee assistance program (EAP) at the beginning of this tutorial, and by the time it is complete, you will have received the information that is essential to select the service that is the most appropriate for your needs.

What you'll learn:
  • What an Employee Assistance Program Is and Why It Matters
  • Legal and Workplace Requirements in Australia
  • Steps to Setting Up an EAP
  • How to Choose the Right EAP Provider
  • Measuring the Success of Your EAP
  • Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
  • Promoting and Maintaining High Engagement with Your EAP
  • Integrating EAP Services into a Broader Wellbeing Strategy

What an Employee Assistance Program Is and Why It Matters

Employee assistance programs, often known as EAPs, are a type of private support service that are aimed to assist workers with difficulties that emerge in their personal lives or those that occur at work. It is feasible for a company to offer its employees with an EAP. Counselling can be beneficial for a broad variety of issues, including those pertaining to mental health, the management of stress, difficulties encountered at work, emotional pain, marital problems, substance abuse, and alcoholism. It is possible for businesses to reduce the amount of sick days taken by their employees, increase their output, and demonstrate that they are concerned about the health of their workforce by implementing a program that is known as an employee assistance program (EAP). Employees are able to access support without having to pay for it or wait for it, which is normally the case with private mental health services. This is also the case with the majority of the time. It provides them with a method of obtaining aid that is guaranteed to be private and safe.

Employee:
I didn’t realise it was confidential. That makes me feel more comfortable using it.
You:
We’ve noticed a few people have been struggling lately. I wanted to remind you all that our EAP is here to help anytime.

Legal and Workplace Requirements in Australia

Although there is no legislation that requires businesses to establish an employee assistance program (EAP), employers still have the obligation to ensure that their workplace is safe and healthy for their employees. This responsibility exists even if there is no law that demands the establishment of an EAP. The regulation of psychological risks in line with the requirements of the Work Health and Safety (WHS) system is one of the components that make up this approach. If you are serious about keeping these commitments, you could find that an EAP is of assistance to you. Additionally, it is essential for organizations in Australia to make certain that any individual assistance program (EAP) service they utilize is in compliance with privacy requirements, that all sessions are kept secret, and that only certified experts are employed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in 2026

The first thing that has to be done in order to build an efficient employee assistance program (EAP) is to figure out what kind of support the employees need. In order to do this, it is possible to make use of risk assessments, surveys, and data from human resources in order to investigate the requirements of the workplace. In order to establish whether the expenditures will be based on a predefined package, on an employee-by-employee basis, or on a session-by-session basis, you need first create a thorough budget. It is important to conduct thorough research on the several EAP providers, comparing their services, availability outside of normal business hours, counselor expertise, and the different channels through which issues can be expressed. You have the flexibility to customize the program to your preferences by using the phone, video, in-person, or any combination of these means of communication. You also have the option of limiting the number of meetings that each employee is permitted to attend, if you believe that this is something that needs to be done. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) should be promoted throughout the organization by making it simple to use, telling employees that the information they provide will be kept secret, and offering easy access to contact information. Launching the program and keeping track of how it is being utilized, as well as the feedback that is being received from employees, is the final stage in the process of continuously enhancing the program.

How to Choose the Right EAP Provider

As an essential component of the best employee assistance program (EAP), it is essential to provide workers with access to skilled therapists who are educated in mental health concerns in the workplace. Additionally, it is essential to provide workers with a number of means to contact these counsellors, such as through the use of the phone, video chat, or online messaging. It should also give transparent and anonymous reports that aid companies in evaluating the effectiveness of the program while safeguarding the privacy of individuals. In addition to providing emergency care around the clock, seven days a week, it should also provide emergency treatment throughout the whole week. In addition to this, it should provide further aid to managers, assistance in dealing with circumstances that might possibly be life-threatening, and information to employees on how to preserve their health.

Measuring the Success of Your EAP

In the event that you do an evaluation of your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), you will ensure that it continues to be useful and efficient over the duration of time. Usage rates that are tracked without identifying people, employee satisfaction surveys, fluctuations in absenteeism and attrition, and supervisory comments on the employee's mood and performance while on the work are some of the metrics that are regularly used. A number of other metrics are also utilized. Businesses have the ability to identify the extent to which the program was effective and to make modifications as necessary when they make use of this data.
“When people go to work, they shouldn’t have to leave their hearts at home.” - Betty Bender

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) may give the impression that it is not operating as intended due to the fact that certain organizations do not make extensive use of it. When individuals behave in this manner, it is generally due to the fact that they are either uninformed of the service or mistrustful of its ability to safeguard their personal information. Once you establish regular communication with them, reassure them that they will be protected, and demonstrate that you are on their side, you will see a big increase in the number of persons that join up with you. The challenge of locating a therapist who is a suitable match for your requirements is not always an easy one to do. When a service provider has a big number of specialists in its network, they have the ability to find better matches for their clients. Both the employees and the quality of their work will increase as a result of the employees' contentment.

Promoting and Maintaining High Engagement with Your EAP

To push something more than once is something that you really ought to make an effort to do. Information on the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) should be included in the handouts that are distributed to new workers, the team papers, and the emails that are sent out throughout the company. During the time that the managers are getting together, you should give them instructions to discuss the service with their individual teams. There is a potential that folks will be able to recall information more effectively if they see notifications or posters on the internet or in break rooms. Case studies that highlight the actual experiences of workers may also be beneficial in creating trust and motivation; however, this is only something that can be accomplished if the workers themselves are willing to participate in the case studies.

Integrating EAP Services into a Broader Wellbeing Strategy

When it is included into a bigger plan to improve the well-being and happiness of workers, an employee assistance program, which is commonly referred to as an EAP, produces the greatest amount of positive results. The following are some examples of things that might be included in this category: ergonomic examinations, flexible work plans, workshops on how to be resilient, and training on how to be aware of mental health difficulties. When the Employee support Program (EAP) is combined with other programs, employees will not only become aware that it is something they may utilize in the case of an emergency, but they will also consider it to be a normal part of the process of obtaining support at work. This is because the EAP will be offered in conjunction with other programs.
Key Takeaways
  • EAPs Support Both Staff and Employers
    They improve wellbeing, productivity, and workplace culture.
  • Not Legally Required but Highly Recommended
    EAPs help employers meet WHS obligations and address psychosocial risks.
  • Choosing the Right Provider is Critical
    Look for accredited counsellors, flexible access options, and strong confidentiality practices.
  • Evaluation and Engagement Are Ongoing
    A successful EAP requires regular review and active promotion to employees.
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