How Old Do You Have to Be to Work in Ontario

What Is the Legal Minimum Age to Work in Ontario?

The minimum age to work in Ontario is set out by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, not the Employment Standards Act. For most common jobs—like those in offices, stores, and restaurant serving areas—the minimum age to work in Ontario is 14. But it really depends on what type of workplace you’re talking about. Some industries are riskier, so their minimum age requirements are higher. For example, you need to be at least 15 to work in factories, 16 for construction (except in more dangerous roles), and 18 or 19 for more hazardous workplaces like mines or work that involves hoisting on construction projects.

Here’s a quick overview of the legal minimum age to work in different settings:

Figuring out the minimum age to work in Ontario isn’t always clear-cut; it’s based entirely on what type of job and workplace you’re looking at, which can make things a bit confusing for families with teenagers ready for part-time work.

There’s another factor to think about, too: education. Ontario law says kids have to stay in school until they turn 18, so most jobs for those under 16 can’t be during school hours, unless there’s a special exemption or alternative learning arrangement. This all means the answer to “how old do you have to be to work in Ontario?” will depend on both the type of job and current schooling rules—details that matter whether you’re already working or planning to enter the job market for the first time.

Minimum Age by Industry in Ontario

So, you’re wondering about the age rules for different jobs in Ontario? It’s not quite as simple as a single number for everyone. The province has specific rules depending on the type of work, mostly laid out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Some jobs are considered riskier or need more training, so they have higher age limits.

Retail and Grocery Stores

For most jobs in retail stores, like working the cash register or helping customers on the floor, you generally need to be at least 14 years old. However, if the job involves more hands-on tasks, such as preparing produce or meat, or working in the shipping and receiving areas of a grocery store, the minimum age bumps up to 15.

Restaurants and Fast Food Jobs

Working in the front of a restaurant, like taking orders or serving customers, usually has a minimum age of 14. But if you’re looking to work in the kitchen, perhaps helping with food prep or other tasks in a restaurant kitchen, you’ll need to be at least 15 years old. This is because kitchen environments are legally classified as industrial establishments.

Construction Jobs

Construction is an industry with stricter age requirements due to the nature of the work. Generally, you need to be at least 16 years old to work in construction, with some specific roles having even higher age limits. For instance, being a shaft attendant on a construction project where a hoist is in use requires you to be 19 years old.

Factories and Industrial Work

When it comes to factories, manufacturing plants, warehouses, and similar industrial settings, the minimum age is typically 15. This includes jobs in assembly plants, repair shops, and laundries. However, certain very specific and high-risk roles within these environments, like working in an underground mine or at the face of a surface mine, require you to be 18 years old. Window cleaning and working on oil or gas rigs also have an 18-year-old minimum.

It’s important to remember that even if you meet the minimum age for a job, you generally can’t be employed during school hours if you’re under 16, unless you have a specific exemption from school attendance.

Can a 14-Year-Old Work in Ontario?

If you’re 14 or have a teenager at home itching to earn some cash, Ontario’s rules for young workers are actually pretty clear—though it’s not a free-for-all. A 14-year-old can legally work, but only in certain places and types of jobs. The rules are set out by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (not the Employment Standards Act), and age makes a huge difference depending on what industry you’re looking at.

Here’s a quick overview of where 14-year-olds are allowed to work:

So, for a 14-year-old, options like being a cashier at the supermarket, running orders at a restaurant, or stocking shelves at a shop are possible. But moving into areas with machinery or more dangerous work (like the kitchen of a fast-food place or behind the scenes in a warehouse) isn’t allowed until later. And don’t forget: some companies set their own age minimums, so even if the law says 14, the job posting might require you to be 15 or 16 instead.

A lot of parents and teens find it confusing because age rules can change from job to job. If you’re ever not sure, Ontario’s Employment Standards Act has lots of details about workplace age requirements, and you can ask potential employers directly about what’s allowed.

Just one thing to note—if you’re still in school, you can’t work during regular school hours unless you’re at least 16 and have special permission. Basically, you can get a job at 14, but it’ll likely be after school or on weekends. That first paycheque might take some planning!

Can a 15-Year-Old Work Full-Time in Ontario?

If you’re 15 and wondering if you can work full-time in Ontario, the answer depends on both the job and your schooling situation. While the law lets 15-year-olds work in some places, you aren’t automatically allowed to work full-time hours if you’re still required to attend school. Ontario’s Education Act says teens have to stay in school until 18—or until they graduate high school—so you aren’t allowed to skip classes for a full-time job unless you’ve been officially excused through the province’s alternative education programs. Basically, you could work full-time during summer break or on official holidays, but not when school is in session.

At 15, you can work in factories, restaurant kitchens, meat or produce preparation, warehouses, and laundry services. But the rules about when you can actually work long hours are strict if you’re still a student. Employers can’t schedule you during school time, and you need to be careful not to put your job ahead of meeting your education obligations.

It’s a balancing act for teens: you might qualify for certain jobs at 15 but working full-time isn’t legally possible unless you’ve wrapped up your schooling or it’s during a break. Access to specific programs, like job training support through ODSP if you have a disability, also only begins at age 16.

So, you’re allowed to get a job at 15, but unless school is out, full-time hours will have to wait.

Do Teens Need a Work Permit in Ontario?

If you’ve been thinking about picking up a part-time job in Ontario as a teenager, you’re probably curious if you need to jump through any official hoops, like applying for a work permit. The good news is, in Ontario, teens do not need a work permit to start working. This is true whether you’re bagging groceries, flipping burgers, or folding jeans at the mall. There’s no paperwork you need to fill out or government approval to wait for before you can get hired.

Employers are still responsible for making sure you’re old enough for the specific job you want. Some jobs have higher minimum ages (like working in construction or an industrial setting), but no permit is required—just proof of age, if asked. What’s more important for teens under 18 is sticking to school attendance rules. Generally, if you’re under 16, you can’t be scheduled to work during school hours, unless you’ve been legally excused from attending.

Even though Ontario doesn’t ask for a work permit, employers must also make sure their young staff are working safe jobs and following all the right rules. Teen workers have the right to refuse unsafe work, just like everyone else.

Are There Hour Restrictions for Teen Workers?

Hour restrictions for teen workers in Ontario can feel a bit confusing, since most teens are thinking about after-school jobs and weekend shifts. The province doesn’t slap a hard cap on the number of hours just because you’re under 18, but there are some important rules.

The big thing is about school. If you’re under 16, you actually can’t be scheduled to work during school hours, unless you’ve got an exemption through a specific program or you’re already done with school. For everyone else, the Employment Standards Act (ESA) says no one in Ontario should work more than 8 hours in a day or 48 hours in a week unless you and your boss agree otherwise. But again, if you’re under 18 and still in school, your first responsibility is attending classes. Work can’t interfere there.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Teenagers working in Ontario have to balance jobs and classes, and employers can’t schedule them to work when they should be in school. For those eager to start earning, it’s smart to check what your school requires and plan your hours around that. Even though older workers can sometimes take on loads of extra shifts, those rules aren’t quite the same for younger teens, especially during the school year. For information on how these rules can differ with age in other life stages, including retirement, it’s worth checking out details related to work and pensions like CPP and OAS.

What Jobs Can 14–17 Year Olds Do in Ontario?

Teens in Ontario often want jobs for a bit of extra spending money, to build experience, or to just stay busy after school. But there are some clear lines when it comes to what roles are open to 14–17-year-olds. The kind of work you can do depends mostly on your age and where you want to work. Here’s how it breaks down:

Those under 18 have to follow rules about school attendance, so full-time work during the school year isn’t allowed unless specific exceptions apply. Most teens start out in retail or in places like grocery stores where employers are more open to hiring younger workers. If you’re looking for other ways to build your experience, there are also lots of volunteer positions for youth across Ontario.

Employers are supposed to keep teens away from high-risk activities and dangerous equipment, no matter how eager you are to learn more or lend a hand. Always ask questions and pay attention to any training your boss gives you. Even the simplest jobs come with a few rules designed to keep you safe.

What Jobs Are Restricted Until 18?

In Ontario, not every job is open to those under 18, even if the general work starting age is lower. Certain roles carry higher risks or have stricter safety rules, so you have to wait until you’re legally considered an adult. These restrictions are set out clearly in both safety laws and employment standards, and they’re taken seriously by employers across the province.

Here’s a table that shows some of the main jobs and industries off-limits to anyone younger than 18:

If you’re hoping to pick up shifts in one of these areas while you’re under 18, it’s just not happening right now. Laws stay in place to reduce risks for young workers, especially in places with heavy machinery, heights, or hazardous conditions. The safest path is checking the minimum age rules before applying, since some new Employment Standards Act rules will be enforced as of 2026 and could impact both employers and job seekers.

It’s frustrating when you want to start working early and earn your own money, but some boundaries are in place just to keep you out of harm’s way until you’ve got a bit more life experience. You grow up and the options open up—just maybe not as fast as you hope.

Minimum Wage for Teen Workers in Ontario

Not all students pocket the same hourly pay in Ontario, and it’s something you really notice when that first paystub comes in. The province sets its rules pretty clear: if you’re under 18, still in school, and working no more than 28 hours a week during the school year (or anytime during a school break), you’re paid the student minimum wage. If you’re working full-time hours — more than 28 hours a week — or you’re not a student, you get the general minimum wage. It might feel like a small difference, but over a few shifts, it adds up.

Here’s what those minimum wages look like (Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sept 30, 2026)

These rates cover a lot, but not everything. Homeworkers — basically, folks who do paid work from home for employers — have their own number. Plus, there are odd jobs like hunting and fishing guides with separate rates, which I won’t get into here. Sometimes, employers choose to pay even more, but they can’t pay you less than these legal minimums. For a quick reference on how these rules sit today, check the Ontario wage standards.

Minimum wage rules can feel strict, but they’re meant to clear up confusion, especially when you’re working your first real job and just want to spend your paycheque without worrying about being short-changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do 14- and 15-year-olds need parental consent to work in Ontario?

No, Ontario law does not require formal parental consent for teens to work. However, employers may ask for proof of age, and parents are still responsible for ensuring their child complies with school attendance rules under the Education Act. While written permission isn’t legally mandatory, some employers request it as part of internal policy.

Can a 14-year-old work at a grocery store in Ontario?

Yes, a 14-year-old can work in the front-end areas of a grocery store, such as cashiering or customer service. However, working in food preparation areas, warehouses, or back-room industrial sections requires the worker to be at least 15 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Can teens work night shifts in Ontario?

No province-wide “curfew” law bans teens from working late hours, but employers must follow general employment standards and ensure work does not interfere with school attendance. For students under 16, working during school hours is prohibited unless legally excused. Employers also have a duty to ensure young workers are not exposed to unsafe conditions late at night.

Are there jobs that don’t have a minimum age in Ontario?

Yes. Informal work such as babysitting, delivering newspapers, yard work, or working in entertainment (like acting) may not fall under the standard industrial workplace rules. However, safety regulations still apply, and employers must ensure the work environment is safe for minors under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

What happens if an employer hires someone under the legal working age?

Employers who hire workers below the minimum age for a specific industry can face penalties, inspections, and fines. Ontario’s workplace safety inspectors enforce age restrictions, and violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act can result in significant financial penalties and compliance orders.