PSW course fees in Ontario vary by institution, program format, and what is bundled. This guide covers what the fees include, what they do not, and the funding options available to domestic students.
Key takeaways
- Public college PSW programs in Ontario cost domestic students roughly $3,500 to $6,000. Private career college fees vary by institution and what is bundled.
- Extra costs — uniform, Vulnerable Sector Check, CPR, medical clearance, and textbooks — are rarely included. Budget $300–$600 separately.
- OSAP, Better Jobs Ontario, and employer tuition support may reduce out-of-pocket cost for eligible domestic students.
- Central College of Business & Technology offers a 1-year, 700-hour personal support worker program in Mississauga — contact admissions for current tuition.
How Much Does a PSW Course Cost in Ontario?
PSW tuition is not set by a single body. Each college sets its own fees, so costs vary by institution and program type. Public college PSW programs typically run $3,500 to $6,000 for domestic students; private career college fees vary by campus and what is bundled. Books and supplies are typically not included in either case.
What those hours include matters as much as the headline number — classroom instruction, hands-on lab work, and supervised clinical placement bundled into tuition represents a different total cost than a program that charges separately for placement coordination.
What Is Included in PSW Course Fees
Most personal support worker (PSW) programs bundle the following into tuition:
Classroom instruction covering anatomy and physiology, infection control, documentation, and patient care — including how PSWs support elderly clients, individuals with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses across various healthcare settings.
Lab hours where students build practical skills — bathing, grooming, transfers, mobility — and rehearse daily living activities through real-world scenarios before assisting clients directly.
Clinical placement coordination. At Central College, 355 of the 700 program hours are hands-on placement work in healthcare facilities including long term care facilities and retirement homes. These carry no separate fee.
Completion credential. The certificate issued on graduation is included in tuition.
Textbooks, uniform, Vulnerable Sector Check, CPR, medical clearance, and transit to placement sites are typically not included.
Extra Costs to Budget For
Budget $300–$600 for pre-placement requirements not covered by tuition:
- Vulnerable Sector Check: $30 to $75 depending on municipality.
- CPR and First Aid certification (Level C): $60 to $100.
- Medical clearance: TB test and immunization records. Cost varies by provider.
- Uniform: $60 to $120 for scrubs and appropriate footwear.
- Textbooks and course materials: $100 to $300 if not bundled.
- Transit to placement sites: Community and facility placements are off campus.
All placement sites require the Vulnerable Sector Check and health clearance before students begin with clients.
PSW Course Fees at Central College
Central College of Business & Technology in Mississauga offers the Personal Support Worker Certificate Program: 1 academic year, 700 total hours, including 355 hours of practical placement work. Graduates are well prepared to assist clients with daily living activities and provide compassionate care — respecting the dignity of every patient — across healthcare settings including long term care facilities and retirement homes.
Contact +1 905-566-0507 or info@central-college.ca for a full fee breakdown, including what is bundled and what to arrange before placements begin.
Visit the personal support worker course page for details and intake dates. For clinical placement requirements, see whether a PSW course can be taken online in Ontario.
Ways to Pay for the PSW Course
OSAP: Offers grants and loans to eligible domestic students at approved institutions. Confirm the college and program appear on Ontario’s approved list before applying.
Better Jobs Ontario: Ontario’s Better Jobs Ontario program (formerly Second Career) has funded PSW retraining for eligible laid-off workers. Contact Employment Ontario for current availability and eligibility criteria. See also free PSW course in Ontario for a summary of funding options.
Employer-sponsored training: Some long term care homes and home care agencies offer tuition reimbursement in exchange for a work commitment after graduation.
Payment plans: Some colleges split tuition across two semesters. Confirm with admissions whether this is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free PSW course in Ontario?
No accredited PSW program is tuition-free by default. Government-funded cohorts covered tuition for some students in past years, and Better Jobs Ontario can cover the full cost of approved PSW training for eligible applicants. For current funding options, contact Employment Ontario or your college’s admissions team.
Do PSW course fees vary across Canada?
Yes. Each province sets its own tuition frameworks. The ranges in this guide apply to Ontario programs only.
Does OSAP cover PSW programs at private colleges?
Eligibility depends on whether the college and program appear on Ontario’s approved list. Not all private career colleges qualify — confirm with the admissions office before applying.
Start the PSW Program at Central College
Central College of Business & Technology offers a personal support worker course combining 1 academic year of classroom instruction and supervised community and facility placements.
For tuition, intake dates, and funding options, contact admissions at +1 905-566-0507 or info@central-college.ca, or attend a program information session.
About Central College of Business & Technology
Central College of Business & Technology is a registered private career college at 1140 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, #201, Mississauga, ON L5C 0A3. Contact: +1 905-566-0507 | info@central-college.ca. Central College serves students from Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Etobicoke, Toronto, and the Greater Toronto Area.