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What Is an Employee Assistance Program?

Written by Altius | Sep 25, 2025 9:16:42 AM

What Is an Employee Assistance Program? 

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a program to support staff mental health and wellbeing. This is part of their employee benefit paid for by employers who signed up for an EAP package. It provides employees and their immediate families with access to confidential, professional counselling and support services. The core purpose of an EAP is to help people manage personal or work-related challenges that could impact their mental health, job performance, or overall quality of life. 

What Does an EAP Include? 

A comprehensive EAP typically includes professional support for a wide range of issues. These services are provided by qualified mental health specialists and registered psychologists.

Common areas of support include:

  • Stress, anxiety, and depression 
  • Workplace conflict or performance concerns
  • Relationship and family issues
  • Grief and loss
  • Trauma and critical incident support
  • Financial or legal concerns (often through referral services) 

These EAP services in Australia are designed for maximum accessibility, with support available through face-to-face sessions, phone consultations, or secure online video calls. A fundamental principle of any quality EAP is strict confidentiality; an employee’s participation and the details of their sessions are private and are not shared with their employer.

Why Are EAPs Important for Workplaces? 

Implementing an Employee Assistance Program delivers significant benefits for both staff and the organisation.

For employees, it provides early intervention and accessible support, helping to resolve issues before they escalate. This leads to improved mental health and greater resilience.

For employers, a well-utilised EAP is a strategic investment. It is associated with:

  • Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism
  • Improved staff morale and engagement
  • A stronger, more supportive workplace culture
  • Enhanced productivity

As a leading provider of workplace wellbeing, Altius delivers professional, evidence-based EAP services across Australia. Our programs are built on clinical best practice and are tailored to meet the specific needs of your organisation and your people.

Explore how Altius can support your workplace wellbeing initiatives with our professional Employee Assistance Program services. Contact us here.

PeopleSense: Psychology & Wellbeing by Altius provides these EAP services. All counselling is delivered by fully registered and qualified psychologists, in adherence with AHPRA guidelines.