How much do outplacement services cost in 2026?

When an organisation needs to make employees redundant, there are a number of things to consider beyond the redundancy process itself. One of these is how the departing employee will manage the transition into their next role.

Outplacement support provides practical assistance to help people move forward after redundancy. This can include career advice, resume and cover letter preparation, LinkedIn support, job search guidance and interview coaching.

What does outplacement support cost?

There isn't one fixed price for outplacement. The cost can vary depending on the type of support being provided, the number of employees involved and the level of assistance required.

Some services may focus on a particular part of the job search, such as preparing a resume or providing interview coaching. Other programs provide a broader range of career transition services.

The seniority and circumstances of the individual can also influence the type and amount of support that is appropriate.

For organisations, it is therefore useful to look at what is actually included in the service rather than simply comparing the price per employee.

What does outplacement support include?

Outplacement services can cover a range of practical areas. Depending on the service, this may include:

• Resume and CV preparation

• Cover letter writing

• LinkedIn profile development

• Career coaching

• Job search strategies

• Interview preparation and coaching

• Advice on presenting skills and experience to prospective employers

Not every employee will need all of these services. Someone who has been working in the same industry for many years may have a good understanding of their next career move, but need help updating their resume and preparing for interviews. Another person may need more assistance working out what type of role they should pursue.

For this reason, a more individual approach can often make more sense than providing everyone with exactly the same support.

Why interview coaching can be useful

Interviews can be challenging, particularly for someone who has been in the same organisation or industry for a long period of time.

Interview coaching gives an individual an opportunity to prepare for the types of questions they are likely to encounter and consider how best to explain their experience, skills and achievements.

At Client Centric, interview coaching forms part of the outplacement support we provide. Where an individual has secured an interview, we can work with them to prepare for the specific role and help them think through how they want to present themselves.

Support that is relevant to the individual

Good outplacement support isn't about giving every employee the same checklist and sending them on their way. People have different backgrounds, industries, experience and career goals, so the support needs to reflect that.

At Client Centric, we start with an initial consultation with the individual to understand their circumstances and what they are looking for next. From there, we provide the services that are relevant to their transition, which can include resume and cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile writing, career coaching, interview coaching and job search guidance.

The intention is not to promise a particular employment outcome. Rather, it is to make sure the individual has the tools and preparation they need to approach their job search effectively.

Is outplacement worth the cost?

For an organisation considering whether to provide outplacement, the cost is only one part of the decision.

Redundancy is difficult for the person leaving as well as for the organisation managing the process. Providing practical career support gives the departing employee somewhere to turn and assistance with what can otherwise be an unfamiliar and uncertain process.

It can also be an important part of how an organisation manages the overall employee transition, particularly when a number of employees are affected.

Ultimately, the value of outplacement comes down to the quality and relevance of the support provided. A service that gives someone a professionally prepared resume, a stronger LinkedIn profile, a clear job search approach and preparation for an interview can provide practical value at a time when it is needed.

Outplacement support from Client Centric

Client Centric provides outplacement services to organisations across Australia. We work directly with departing employees and provide practical career support based on their individual circumstances.

The process starts with an initial consultation, followed by the services the individual requires to prepare for their next career move.

Does paying for outplacement services make it worth the cost?

Yes. For organisations going through redundancy, outplacement can be a worthwhile investment — not only because it provides practical support to employees, but because reputation matters.

Large-scale redundancies can attract attention from employees, customers, suppliers and the wider community. How an organisation handles those departures can have a lasting impact on how the business is perceived.

Your reputation matters

When employees leave an organisation following a redundancy, they will naturally talk about their experience. If people feel they were treated fairly and were given genuine support to move forward, they are more likely to view the organisation positively.

On the other hand, if former employees feel they were simply let go without any support, that experience can quickly become part of the conversation around the organisation.

Social media can amplify the message

Today, those conversations don't necessarily stay within a small group of former colleagues. LinkedIn, Facebook, Reddit and other social platforms make it easy for people to share their experiences publicly.

A single post can reach thousands of people, particularly when it relates to a large redundancy, a well-known organisation or a particularly negative experience. What may once have been a private conversation can quickly become a public discussion.

This is one reason organisations need to think carefully about the employee experience throughout a redundancy process.

Outplacement is part of managing the transition

Outplacement won't change the fact that someone has lost their job, and it shouldn't be presented as a way of avoiding difficult conversations. What it can do is provide practical support at a time when the individual needs it most.

By providing access to career professionals, employees can receive help with their resume, LinkedIn profile, job search, career direction and interview preparation. It gives them something practical to work on and a clear path towards their next opportunity.

For the organisation, it demonstrates that supporting employees doesn't necessarily end when their employment does.

Is it worth the investment?

The cost of outplacement needs to be considered against the broader cost of managing a redundancy process. Providing practical support to departing employees can help create a more positive and professional transition for everyone involved.

At Client Centric, our focus is straightforward: give former employees the tools, guidance and support they need to move towards their next role, while giving organisations a professional way to support their people through change.