Child Seat Fitting Laws FAQ

Although there is currently no law prohibiting the use of restraints older than 10 years, it is strongly recommended by the manufacturers not to do so; for the following reasons: It’s not possible to guarantee a restraint that’s older than 10 years will perform as it was originally intended to do so. The Australian Standards have been improved significantly in past years with updates occurring in 2000, 2004, 2010 and 2013. Older restraints will not meet new improved design features. If you choose to use a restraint over 10 years and it fails in a crash, not only are you putting the child at higher risk of injury, but you may also see your insurance payout reduced for failing to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer.

Children aged 7 years to 16 years of age are required to travel in either an approved Baby Car Seat or a properly adjusted and securely fastened adult seatbelt. The type of Baby Car Seat will depend on the child’s size. The average seven year old cannot fit an adult seat-belt correctly. In fact, most children cannot wear an adult seat-belt correctly in most vehicles until they are 10 to 12 years of age.more information from RAA here.

In any vehicle with two or more rows of seats, the following restrictions must be adhered to, by law:

Children under the age of 4 must be seated in the rear of the vehicle (where the vehicle has two or more rows of seats).

Children from the age of 4 to 7 years are permitted to sit in the front of the vehicle, but only if all rear seats are already occupied by children up to the same age (where the vehicle has two or more rows of seats).

Note: If you have a small car and it is impossible to fit a third restraint in between two others, then a child between 4 and 7 years can move into the front row providing they are correctly restrained in an age appropriate restraint.

In a vehicle with only one row of seats, it is allowable for children to travel in this row providing they are correctly restrained in a size appropriate, approved child restraint. The restraint must be fitted to the manufacturer’s instructions; including attaching the upper tether to an anchorage point (excludes restraints such as foam boosters that do not feature an upper tether).

Commercial vehicles with only one row of seats, such as vans (eg Hiace) and utilities (ford ranger), are not required to have anchorage points. It may be possible to have one fitted. If your vehicle is not fitted with anchor points, contact RAA/ ACRI to find the location of your nearest anchorage installer.
Rearward facing restraints must not be used in a position fitted with an airbag.

Child seat manufacturers warn against using restraints in positions fitted with airbags and most vehicle manufacturers warn against placing children under the age of 12 in these positions. As airbags are designed for the safety of adults, these warnings should be followed.

yes a backless booster seat is illegal in Australia, it has been replaced with the un-tethered booster seat.

The legal age is at least 4 years of age, however your child needs to tall enough to go into a booster seat. when you child is not tall enough, the should stay in a fully harnessed seat.

In Australia a 7 year old needs to be tall enough to safely use a adult lap sash seat belt, when your child does not pass the 5 stage test they need to remain in a fully harnessed seat,

We wan to keep our children as safe as possible and practically that means we need to keep our children rear facing as long as possible, This means that your child needs to pass the first should height marker and be at least 14 months of age.

145cm is an approximate height, the correct answer is your child needs to have a torso length of 51 cm