Student Hub
You need 40 volunteer hours to graduate high school in Ontario. Here's how it works — and how to actually enjoy them.
The rules, in plain English
Outside class time
Hours have to happen outside your scheduled class time — evenings, weekends, lunch, PA days, and summer all work.
Not for a credit
Volunteering that's part of a course (like co-op) doesn't count toward the 40.
Unpaid
If you're getting paid, it's a job — not community involvement.
Can't replace a paid worker
You can help an organization, but you can't fill a position someone would normally be paid for.
Done by end of Grade 12
All 40 hours need to be finished before you graduate. You can start on July 1st right after you finish Grade 8, so you've got four summers and four school years to work with — about 10 hours a year and you're done.
The fine print can vary by school board — when in doubt, contact your guidance office for details. They have the final say on what counts.
Looks similar, but only one counts
Two jobs can look almost identical and land on opposite sides of the line. The difference is usually who benefits: a business, or the community.
| Doesn't count | Counts |
|---|---|
| Volunteering at a landscaping company | Gardening at a church or community garden |
| Stocking shelves at a grocery store | Stocking shelves at a food bank |
| Shoveling snow at home | Shoveling snow for a neighbour who needs the support |
| Babysitting your own siblings | Child-minding at a community event |
Places that count
- hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes
- not-for-profits
- public sector institutions (city and region)
- local, provincial, or federal government offices
- First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities or organizations
- religious and cultural events
Never eligible — no exceptions
These are off the table no matter who asks, mostly for safety and liability reasons.
- operating a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding
- giving medication or doing medical procedures
- handling designated substances (asbestos, lead, mercury, and the like)
- banking, or handling valuables like jewelry, art, or antiques
- anything requiring a regulated trade
- anything discriminatory, harassing, or unsafe
If you have an IEP, talk to your guidance counsellor — there are accommodations available for this requirement too.
Tracking your hours
Bring a sheet to every shift and get it signed before you leave — chasing signatures months later is no fun. Our printable log has columns for the date, organization, what you did, hours, and a supervisor signature.
Download the hour log →Questions students actually ask
When can I start earning hours?
July 1st, right after you finish Grade 8. Lots of students knock out a big chunk that summer, before high school even starts.
How do I prove my hours?
Keep a log with the date, the organization, what you did, and a supervisor's signature. Our printable sheet has spots for all of it. Your school has an official form too — your guidance office will tell you which one they want.
I go to a DSBN school. Where do I hand in my hours?
DSBN students submit completed hour forms to their school's guidance office, which records them toward graduation. Ask guidance for the official DSBN form, fill it in as you go, and don't wait until Grade 12 to hand it in.
Can I split my hours across different organizations?
Yes! Mix and match as much as you like — a beach cleanup here, a food bank shift there. It all adds up to 40.
Does virtual volunteering count?
Usually yes, as long as it follows the same rules (unpaid, outside class time). Check with your guidance office if you're unsure about a specific gig.
What if I'm under 14?
Some opportunities welcome younger volunteers when a parent comes along. Check each listing's minimum age, and filter by your age on the opportunities page.