Losing a job is one of the most unsettling experiences a person can go through at work. Redundancy brings uncertainty, and for many employees, it raises a lot of questions at once. What do I do next? Where do I start? How do I explain this to people?
Outplacement support exists to answer those questions. It’s a structured, practical, and genuinely human form of support that helps employees move through a period of career change with more clarity and confidence than they’d have going it alone.
Here’s what it actually is, what it includes, and why it matters for both employees and the organisations that offer it.
What Is Outplacement Support?
Outplacement support – also called career transition support – is a professional service provided by employers to employees who are leaving the organisation due to redundancy, restructuring, or organisational change. The key thing to understand is that it’s funded entirely by the employer, not the employee. It’s offered as part of a severance or redundancy package, and it’s designed to help the departing employee land on their feet.
It’s not a job placement agency, and it’s not a generic HR offboarding process. Effective outplacement is personalised, practical, and – when delivered well – combines career coaching with genuine emotional and psychological support. In Australia, as the labour market continues to evolve through automation and organisational change, structured transition support has become an increasingly standard part of responsible workforce management.
What Does Outplacement Support Include?
A well-structured outplacement program covers both the practical and the personal. Typically, employees can expect:
- One-on-one career coaching tailored to their goals and experience
- Resume and cover letter development
- Interview preparation and job search strategy
- Guidance on navigating the current Australian labour market
- Emotional and psychological support through EAP counselling
- 24/7 access to digital wellbeing tools between sessions
On the practical side, many employees – particularly those who haven’t needed to look for work in several years – find that the job search landscape has changed significantly. Having expert support to refresh those skills makes a real difference.
On the personal side, quality outplacement programs acknowledge that redundancy is an emotional experience, not just a logistical one. This is where EAP counselling becomes a meaningful part of the picture, supporting employees through the psychological dimensions of change alongside the career-focused work.
At Leapwell, career coaches, psychologists, and wellbeing professionals work together so employees receive support covering both dimensions in one program. Between sessions, employees also have access to Leapwell+, Leapwell’s digital wellbeing platform, providing 24/7 tools and check-ins to maintain momentum throughout the transition.
Why It Matters for Employees
For the employee going through redundancy, outplacement support changes the experience in a meaningful way. Rather than leaving with a severance payment and a handshake, they leave with a structured plan, professional support, and practical tools that give them a real advantage in their job search.
The confidence dimension is significant. Many employees – particularly those who have been in a role for a long time – find re-entering the job market genuinely daunting. Having a career coach who understands the current landscape, can review their resume with fresh eyes, and help them prepare for interviews shifts that experience considerably. Knowing that your employer has invested in your next steps, rather than just managing your exit, also makes a real difference to how people experience what can otherwise feel like a difficult chapter.
Why It Matters for Employers
Outplacement isn’t just good for employees – it’s a smart decision for the organisations offering it.
How a company handles redundancy is noticed. Not just by the employees who are leaving, but by the ones who remain. Workforce morale during periods of organisational change is directly affected by how departing colleagues are treated – and employees who see their organisation act with genuine care are more likely to stay engaged and trust their leadership through the uncertainty.
There’s also employer brand to consider. In a competitive hiring environment, how an organisation manages exits contributes to its reputation as a place people want to work. Offering meaningful outplacement support is a visible demonstration of values that extends well beyond the redundancy itself.
The Leapwell Difference
What sets Leapwell’s outplacement and career transition program apart is the integration of career support and EAP services in one place. Many outplacement providers offer career coaching. Far fewer can also provide confidential counselling, psychological support, and a digital wellbeing platform as part of the same program.
Career transitions aren’t just career events – they’re personal ones. The employees who come out the other side with the most confidence and clarity are usually the ones who had support that recognised both dimensions.
Leapwell works with organisations across Australia – including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth – to deliver outplacement programs that are practical, compassionate, and built around real people navigating real change.If your organisation is managing a period of workforce transition, get in touch with the Leapwell team for a free consultation.