Pay As You Go EAP Options for Australian Startups and SMEs
Last Updated 12/12/25 By Vanessa Cortez
EAP Programs @ Mindway EAP
The health and happiness of workers is becoming more important to many small-to-medium sized businesses and companies in Australia, but the thought of signing up for an expensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) every year can be scary. Traditional employee assistance programs (EAPs) charge a flat rate for each employee, even if they don't use the service. This could be seen as throwing money away by a small business with a changing amount of workers.

Payments When You Need Them EAP models are useful for this kind of thing. They both provide access to professional mental health and fitness help, and customers can choose to only pay for the services they actually use. This makes them very appealing to businesses that want to help their community without spending more money than they need to.

What You’ll Learn in This Article
  1. What a Pay-As-You-Go EAP is and how it works
  2. Typical pricing for Australian providers in 2025
  3. Advantages for startups and SMEs
  4. How to compare providers and choose the right fit
  5. Common questions about usage limits and confidentiality

What is a Pay-As-You-Go EAP?

As-You-Go Payments EAPs are precisely what they sound like: employee assistance programs. Instead of paying a one-time charge on an annual basis, businesses only pay when an employee schedules a session with the company. It is not necessary to pay any upfront fees or accumulate points that you will not be able to use at the end of the year since you only pay for the counselling sessions that you actually attend. By using this method, businesses who are unsure of the frequency with which their services will be utilised will be able to avoid squandering money on services that are not utilised. In addition, it is an excellent choice for new businesses and teams that are expanding rapidly since it eliminates the need to pay individuals who may no longer be employed by the company. To put it another way, this approach grants businesses the ability to exercise flexibility and control while also ensuring that their employees have access to private assistance whenever it is required.

Typical Pricing in Australia (2025)

Prices for Pay-As-You-Go Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) will vary from one supplier to the next beginning in the year 2025. On the other hand, in order to get you started, here are some approximate figures. Depending on the therapist, the length of the session, and whether it is conducted in person, over the phone, or online, the cost of a therapy session for a single individual can be anywhere from $150 to $250. In addition, there are a number of businesses that could provide bargains that you can pay for in advance. The majority of the time, the most common price range for these packages is between $1,000 and $2,500, and they include a certain number of courses at a reduced rate. These packs are frequently purchased by businesses who are looking to cut costs while taking into account the possibility of making mistakes. One further advantage is that the majority of Pay-As-You-Go services do not necessitate the signing of long-term contracts. The implication of this is that companies can employ the service on a month-to-month basis and make adjustments as required. It is possible that this pay-as-you-go arrangement is a far better alternative than typical EAP memberships for a small firm that is attempting to achieve a balance between health and limited cash.
Employee:
I’ve been feeling really stressed lately, but I’m not sure if I can use the company’s EAP, do we even have one?
You:
Yes, we use a Pay-As-You-Go EAP. You can book a session whenever you need, and the company will cover the cost. It’s completely confidential.

Advantages for Startups and SMEs

The best thing about pay-as-you-go employee assistance programs (EAPs) is that businesses only have to pay for the service when they need it. This gets rid of the feeling of "wasted spend" that might come with yearly contracts when uptake is minimal. The ability to grow is another big benefit for teams that are getting bigger. You may add sessions anytime you need to, which makes it easy to get more help when new employees join the team. Also, you don't have to make a long-term commitment or make an initial investment, which makes minimal commitment just as appealing. Many providers can have the service up and running in only a few days, which means that firms may obtain professional advice right away without having to go through a long deployment process. Because of these benefits, Pay-As-You-Go Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are not only possible but also easy for smaller organizations with fewer resources to use.

How to Compare Providers

There is no fee up front. Businesses are required to do comprehensive comparisons of the many EAP programs available to them. To determine whether or whether the session fees include additional services such as after-hours assistance, follow-up treatment, and access to a manager, check the session rates. Take into consideration that employees can meet in person, over the phone, through an application, or even over video chat when you are preparing a meeting; the convenience of use is of the biggest significance. There is also the fact that you have spare time on your hands while you are not working because this is an extra point. Employees usually want assistance on the weekends or towards the late hours of the night. Ensuring that employees have trust in the service and providing administrators with access to data that has been anonymised will allow them to monitor the effectiveness of the service. It is also important to do a comprehensive evaluation of the policies regarding privacy and reporting. To assist your organisation in selecting a solution that will give them with both value and peace of mind, you should take into consideration the following factors.
"The right support at the right time can transform workplace wellbeing. Flexible EAP models ensure no business is too small to provide that support." - Australian HR Institute (AHRI)

Common Questions

One of the main worries that employers have is whether or not workers will still get private help with a Pay-As-You-Go approach. The answer is yes, all services from reliable EAP companies are kept secret, whether they are paid-as-you-go or on a subscription platform. People also often ask, "What if no one uses the service?" That way, the company won't be charged at all. But getting the word out and talking to people are very important for the program to work. Employees might not even know the service is offered if they are not reminded often and clearly told about it. For a Pay-As-You-Go EAP to work best, managers should make sure there is good communication within the company so employees feel free to ask for help when they need it.
Key Takeaways
  • Flexible Pricing
    Pay-As-You-Go EAPs remove the need for large upfront costs, perfect for small teams.
  • Scalable Support
    Easily add more sessions as your business and team size grow.
  • Confidentiality Maintained
    Employees get the same privacy as with annual programs.
  • Accessible Options
    Many providers offer app-based or phone sessions, making support easy to reach.
Looking for Help with an EAP?
We Customise Every Program to Fit Your Organisation
PAYG EAP
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

+ see full benefits

Get Tailored Quote
Complete EAP
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)

+ see full benefits

Get Tailored Quote
"We’re extremely satisfied with the services and counselling provided. It’s great to see our staff benefiting from it." 28% of staff use services
Priya, HR Director