PSWs (NOC 33102) deliver hands-on support with daily living in long-term care, home & community care, and hospitals. Training is short, jobs are steady, and 2025–26 incentives are generous. This guide covers program length, placement checks, funding, wages, and voluntary registration. PSW is one of the Ontario High Demand Careers.
What PSWs do
- Assist with bathing, dressing, feeding, mobility, and comfort.
- Observe and report changes; support routines; document care.
- Work under direction of nursing teams across multiple settings.
Program length & the Ontario standard
- Length: Most full-time PSW programs take ~5-8 months (some 1-year or part-time options).
- Standard: Ontario’s 2022 PSW Program Standard aligns curriculum across public colleges, school boards, and private career colleges.
Training pathways (choose 1)
Public colleges (Ontario College Certificate)
- OSAP eligible; on-campus labs; supervised clinicals.
School board adult/continuing education
- Accelerated cohorts (often ~5-6 months); aligned to the 2022 standard.
Private career colleges
- Intensive schedules; confirm the program meets the 2022 PSW standard (or recognised training standard) and includes required clinical hours.
Before your placement: quick checklist
- Police check: Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). Start early.
- Health: Immunisations (e.g., MMR, Tdap, Varicella, Hep B), TB testing.
- Certifications: Standard First Aid + CPR (BLS/Level C).
- Site-specific items: Mask fit (N95), seasonal flu/COVID rules.
- Timing: Some colleges advise up to ~8–12 weeks for clearances. Budget the costs.
Costs, OSAP, and 2025–26 incentives
- OSAP: Most public-college PSW certificates qualify (need-based grants/loans).
- Clinical Placement Stipend — up to $5,440: For PSW students who begin eligible clinical placements on/after Apr 1, 2023 with participating LTC or home & community employers.
- Recruitment Incentive — $10,000: For graduates of eligible PSW programs (completed on/after Apr 1, 2023) who start full-time with a participating employer between Apr 1, 2023 and Mar 31, 2026 and commit for 12 months.
- Rural/Remote/Northern supports: $10,000 relocation (≥100 km move) and an additional $10,000 community incentive in RIO-40+ or Northern Ontario locations.
- Compensation enhancement: Separate provincial +$3/hour enhancement applies in many publicly funded settings; employer/sector rules vary.
Read: Best Free Digital Skills for Ontario Students
Wages & outlook
- Typical provincial range ~$18.00–$28.00/hour (median ~$22.50).
- Actual pay depends on sector, region, union premiums, shifts, and whether the $3/hour enhancement applies.
Voluntary PSW registration (HSCPOA)
- Launched: Dec 1, 2024.
- Status: Registration is voluntary (employers may prefer or require it).
- Pathways: Ontario education, Employed in Ontario (Path 2), Labour Mobility, or Competency Assessment.
- Important date: Path 2 (Employed in Ontario) closes Dec 1, 2027. After that, many will need recognised PSW education to qualify.
Step-by-step (fast track)
- Pick a provider and confirm it follows the 2022 PSW standard.
- Apply + sort funding (OSAP; ask about bursaries).
- Start clearances immediately (VSC, immunisations/TB, CPR-BLS).
- Finish theory/labs and complete clinicals.
- Use the incentives: placement stipend during clinicals; after graduation, secure a full-time role with a participating employer for the $10k (plus relocation/northern, if eligible).
- Optional: Apply to HSCPOA (consider Path 2 timing before Dec 1, 2027).
Read: Ontario college certificate vs diploma vs advanced diploma vs degree
Mini timeline (example)
- Jan–Jun: Finish PSW program (accelerated).
- Apr–Jun: Eligible clinicals; apply for stipend via the participating site.
- Jul–Aug: Accept full-time offer; sign 12-month commitment for $10k; check relocation/northern eligibility.
FAQs
Is PSW regulated?
Not like nursing. Registration is voluntary under HSCPOA, with a public register, code of ethics, and complaints/discipline.
How long is the program?
Most full-time programs run ~5–8 months; part-time options extend to 1–2 years.
Do I need a police check and vaccines?
Yes—VSC, immunisations/TB, and CPR-BLS are standard placement requirements. Start early.
What do PSWs earn?
About $18–$28/hour (median near $22.50), plus sector premiums and potential +$3/hour enhancement.
Key takeaways
- Train in ~5–8 months under the 2022 PSW Program Standard.
- Book clearances early (VSC, immunisations/TB, CPR-BLS; some sites require mask fit).
- Stack incentives: up to $5,440 (clinicals) + $10,000 recruitment + $10,000 relocation + $10,000 northern/community (if eligible).
- Registration is voluntary; Path 2 closes Dec 1, 2027—plan ahead.
