How to Get Social Work Jobs in Canada: An Expert Guide

Looking for social work jobs in Canada? There are a few things you need to know. The first step is ensuring your degree or certificate is recognized in Canada. Many social work associations can help with this process, and credential assessment services can verify your qualifications.

Once you have the appropriate credentials, it is time to start looking for jobs. Toronto is a great city to find social work jobs, but there are also opportunities in other cities across Canada. We will look at some of the best places to find social work jobs in Canada and what kinds of positions, are available.

Who is a Social Worker?

A social worker is a person who helps people in need by providing support, counseling, and advice. For example, social workers help clients solve problems by providing them with food, clothing, or housing. They also offer emotional support through counseling sessions to help clients cope better with their situations.

Wondering where Social workers can get employment in Canada? Social work jobs can come from many different sectors, including:

• Government.
• Nonprofit organizations.
• Hospitals.
• Schools.
• Correctional facilities.
• And so on. – See our NOC list for a detailed description of what Social Workers do.

The demand for social workers in Canada is high, and the best way to get a job in this field is by having the appropriate credentials. So, let’s look at how you can get credential assessment and certification for your social work degree or experience.

Credential Recognition for Social Workers

Many social work degrees and certificates are recognized in Canada. However, there are some exceptions, just like in many other career fields. So, checking with the relevant associations before applying for jobs is essential. The following associations can help with credential recognition:

#1. Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW).

This is the national association that represents social workers across Canada. Visit the CASW website for credentials recognition, education requirements, and certification in Canada.

Social Work Education Requirements

CASW has a list of approved social worker schools that meet their standards for certification and membership. Students who graduate from these programs are eligible to work as social workers in Canada.

Social Worker Certification

CASW offers three certification levels for social workers in Canada. The first level is the Certified Social Worker (CSW) designation, available to social workers with two years post-graduate experience. The second level is the Registered Social Worker (RSW) designation for social workers with five years of post-graduate experience. The third level is the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) designation, which requires seven years of post-graduation work experience:

CASW Certification Information

Application: CASW provides a full guide to applying for certification and information on their exams. The social worker certificate verification fee is $339.00 ($300 plus 13% HST) and covers the professional assessment and administrative costs.

Who is a Certified Social Worker?

A social worker certified by CASW is recognized as a qualified social worker in Canada. The CSW designation is the first step to becoming an RSW or LSW.

Who is a Registered Social Worker?

A social worker CASW has been registered and recognized as a qualified social worker in Canada. The RSW designation is the second step to becoming an LSW.

Who is a Licensed Social Worker?

A social worker who CASW has licensed is recognized as a qualified social worker in Canada. The LSW designation is the highest level of certification offered by CASW.

In addition to these three designations, there are also two other types of certifications for social workers. These include the Certified Canadian Educator and the Registered Canadian Educator designations. Please visit the CASW website above to learn more about these designations.

If CASW does not recognize your degree or experience, don’t worry! Other associations can help you with credential recognition.

#2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

The ASWB is an American association that offers certification for social workers. In addition, they have a Canadian affiliate, the Association of Social Work Regulators in Canada (ASWRC), which is responsible for credential recognition in Canada.

Association of Social Work Regulators in Canada

The ASWRC is the Canadian affiliate of the American Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). They are responsible for credential recognition in Canada and offer several services to social workers, including:

Social Work Credential Recognition

The ASWRC has a list of acceptable social work degrees and training programs. They also have a list of accepted province/territory social worker associations that can verify your credentials.

Social Work Exam Preparation

The ASWRC offers a course to prepare you for the ASWB exam. This test is required to obtain your social work certification in Canada.

If you are a social worker who is not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, don’t worry! There are more ways for you to work in Canada.

#3. Foreign Worker

If you have a degree in social work and two years of experience, you may be able to find a social work job in Canada as a foreign worker. There are several programs available that can help you get your Canadian work visa. For details, please visit our topic on moving to Canada as a Social Worker.

#4. Student – If you are a social work student, there are several ways to find a job in Canada. You can search for jobs on websites like Indeed.com and Workopolis.com, or you can also search for jobs on the CASW website. Check our list of popular websites for finding jobs in Canada.

If you are looking for a job in a specific city or province, please follow the links or type any of the following in search engines and visit their websites: 

• Social Work Jobs in Toronto.
• Social Work Jobs in Vancouver.
• Canadian Association of Social Workers – Alberta Jobs (CASWAB).
• Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers Jobs (SASW).
• Manitoba College of Social Workers Jobs (MCSW).
• Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).
• Quebec Order of Social Workers and Marriage Counsellors.
• New Brunswick Association of Social Work Jobs.
• Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers – Jobs in Nova Scotia.
• Prince Edward Island Association of Social Workers – PEI Job Bank.
• Social work jobs in Nunavut, Canada.

Is social work a good job in Canada?

Yes, we believe that social work is an excellent career to take up in any Canadian province or city. Many social work jobs in Canada offer a range of great benefits, from competitive salaries to opportunities for growth and development. It can be a gratifying career, especially if you are passionate about helping others. However, finding the right job can be challenging, especially if you don’t have the required credentials or experience.

What are the highest-paying social work jobs in Canada?

One of the great things about social work is that there are many different career paths to choose from. So, if you’re not sure what the highest-paying social work jobs in Canada are, don’t worry – there’s something for everyone. Here are a few examples:

1. Child and family social worker.
2. Mental health and addiction social worker.
3. Geriatric social worker.
4. School social worker.
5. Healthcare social worker.
6. Community health social worker.
7. Psychiatric social worker.

Each of these roles comes with unique challenges and rewards, so choosing one that best suits your skills and interests is essential. If you are wondering how much you can expect to earn in these roles, the answer varies depending on your experience and location. However, social workers earn a very competitive salary compared to other professions. Therefore, we have covered Social work salaries here.

Where to get social work jobs in Canada for foreigners?

If you’re a foreigner who wants to work in social work in Canada, your first step is to find out if your degree or professional qualifications are recognized. The good news is that most social work degrees from other countries are eligible for credential recognition in Canada. This means that you may be able to work in social work without having to go through any additional training or certification. We have covered those above, so do scroll back up to read. Previously, we published several websites for foreigners to find social work jobs in Canada.

Can I get fly-in, fly-out social work jobs in Canada?

Yes, some Social Work in rural Canada is based on some fly in fly out arrangements. You can get a fly-in, fly-out social work job in Canada if you qualify. Consult all the guidelines above to ensure you’re eligible to apply for traditional or fly-in social work jobs in Canada.

Conclusion

Social work might be the perfect choice for you if you’re looking for a great career with good pay and plenty of job opportunities. And remember, to become a social worker in Canada, you need to complete assessments from one or more accredited bodies we mentioned earlier. We hope this article has helped clear up some of the questions you may have about social work in our neighbor to the north. Check out our detailed moving to Canada page linked below to learn more about what it takes to join this fantastic profession in Canada!

You may want to become a property manager in Canada, too.