Employee assistance programs

Queensland Government employees are entitled to a set number of hours counselling free of charge each year. Each agency determines how many hours employees can access free of charge and which of the following providers they use:

Employee assistance programs (EAP) provide free, professional and confidential counselling services to assist you and your immediate family members through both personal and work-related problems, including:

  • work pressures
  • personal trauma
  • child and family issues
  • grief and bereavement
  • financial and legal issues
  • separation, divorce, or relationship difficulties
  • stress, anxiety, conflict, tension, and depression
  • health and lifestyle issues (including drugs, alcohol and gambling).

Counsellors are qualified, experienced professionals who have extensive training in counselling and workplace consulting.

Check your intranet or talk to your HR team to find which service provider your agency uses.

You can access your EAP in your own time or during work hours. If need time off during work hours to attend an appointment, you need approval from your supervisor.

If you need additional hours, you can access this at your own cost.

Confidentiality

All EAP consultations are strictly confidential. Counsellors will not share information about you with anyone unless you authorise this in writing. In the case of workplace issues, you may authorise your counsellor to discuss the matter with your supervisor or another person you nominate to help address the situation.