The purpose of this 'Frequently Asked Questions' page is to provide answers to the questions most commonly asked by members of the public about child car restraints (CCRs).
What type of child car restraint does my child need to use?
Children must use a child car restraint that is certified to the Australian Standard AS/NZS1754:1995 or a subsequent standard.
All child car restraints and seatbelts must by properly fastened and adjusted. In some circumstances, exemptions may apply. Contact the Child Car Restraint Information Line on 1300 780 713 for further information.
Birth to six months of age
Children this age must be in a suitable rearward facing restraint.
Examples include capsules and rearward facing convertible CCRs.
Six months to four years of age
Children this age must be in either a suitable rearward or forward facing restraint with an inbuilt harness.
Examples include those listed above if rearward facing, or forward facing convertible CCRs, combination CCRs with an internal harness or a Type G CCR.
Four to seven years of age
Children this age must be restrained in either a suitable forward facing restraint with an inbuilt harness or a booster seat restrained by the lap sash seatbelt or child safety harness.
Examples include those forward facing with an internal harness, booster seats or integrated booster seats.
Seven years and over
Children this age must be restrained in either a suitable child restraint or in a seating position fitted with a seatbelt.
Examples include those forward facing with an internal harness, booster seats or the vehicle seat with a seatbelt.
Can my child sit in the front seat?
It is not recommended that a child sits in the front seat of a vehicle.
Birth to four years
- Children from birth to four years cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows of seats, however if the vehicle does not have a rear row, this does not apply.
- Rearward facing restraints cannot be used in a front seat where there is a front passenger airbag.
Four to seven years
- Children from four to seven years are not allowed to travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows of seats, unless all the other seats are already occupied by children under seven years of age.
Seven years and over
- Children seven years and over are recommended to use the rear seats of a vehicle where possible. If the front seat is used, it is recommended that it is pushed as far back as possible.
Remember that every child travelling in the vehicle should be restrained by an appropriate, and correctly fitted, child car restraint.
What is the best child car restraint to buy?
When choosing a child car restraint, a variety of considerations need to be made, below is a list of some of the most common:
- Purchase price does not indicate how a child car restraint will perform in a crash. Visit the Child Car Seats website for an unbiased evaluation on protection and ease-of-use for a large range of child car restraints.
- All restraints must meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754:1995 or subsequent standard for child car restraints.
- It is recommended that child car restraints older than 10 years are not used.
- The history of the child car restraint should be known, and restraints involved in a moderate to severe crash should not be used.
- If the child car restraint needs to be moved frequently, ideally choose one that is light and easy to install correctly every time.
- Extra features to consider:
- Is it the right type for the age and size of your child?
- Is the harness height easy to adjust?
- Does the child car restraint fit in your vehicle?
- Will there be enough room for other CCRs and passengers?
- Can it be installed with minimum movement on the vehicle seat?
When should I move my child into a forward facing child car restraint?
Moving your child from rearward facing to forward facing earlier than required is not encouraged.
- A rearward facing child car restraint should be used until the child is at least six months old.
- Ideally a child should remain rearward until they reach the upper rearward size limits of the child car restraint.
- They must be rearward facing until they at least meet the minimum size requirements of a child car restraint in forward facing mode.
- There are now rearward facing child car restraints available that are designed to be rearward facing until the child is approximately 30 months of age.
It should be noted that the harness straps need to be moved to different slot positions or heights as a child grows. In a rearward facing restraint, the harness straps must be a maximum of 25mm above or level with the child's shoulders, not below.
When should I move my child into a booster seat?
Moving your child from a forward facing restraint to a booster seat earlier than required is not encouraged.
- A child using a forward facing restraint with an inbuilt harness, should continue to do so until they are at least four years of age.
- A child aged four years and above can use a booster seat once the minimum size requirements are met for the booster seat being used.
- Ideally a child should remain in a forward facing child car restraint until they reach the upper size limits of the child car restraint.
- There are now forward facing child car restraints with an internal harness available that are designed to be used until the child is approximately 8 years of age.
Unlike a rearward facing restraint, it is fine for the harness straps of a forward facing child car restraint to range from 25mm below or above the child's shoulders.
When buying a booster, it is recommended that you choose one that has a back, a firm base and side wings, with a sash guide to position the seatbelt correctly on the child's shoulder.
When should I move my child to an adult seatbelt without a booster?
A booster should be used until:
- Your child is at least seven years of age.
- There are now booster seats available that are designed to be used until the child is approximately 10 years of age.
It is recommended that the child is able to pass the five step test below before moving out of a booster seat:
- Can your child sit with their back against the vehicle seat?
- Do your child's knees bend comfortably over the front of the edge of the seat?
- Does the sash belt sit across the middle of your child's shoulder?
- Is the lap belt sitting low across your child's hips and touching their thighs?
- Can your child stay seated like this for the entire trip?
Lap sash seatbelts offer far greater protection than lap only belts, putting passengers in a position that has a lap only belt should be avoided.
Can I use a child car restraint with ISOFIX?
Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754:2013 includes the option for restraint manufacturers to produce ISOFIX compatible restraints. ISOFIX is available for a range of child car restraints designed for children from birth to four years old. For further information, please read the ISOFIX COMPATIBLE CHILD RESTRAINTS - FAQ.
Can I use a child car restraint from overseas?
Only child car restraints that meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS1754:1995 (or a subsequent version) for child restraints can be used in Western Australia.
Child car restraints that are certified to Australian Standards carry an Australian Standards mark sticker which is marked AS/NZS 1754. If the child car restraint does not carry the Australian Standard mark, it cannot be used in Western Australia.
Can I use a second hand child car restraint?
If you are considering purchasing or using a second hand restraint, you need to be assured of the history of the restraint and that it has not been involved in a moderate to severe crash. It is also recommended that you check the child car restraint for the following:
- it has an AS/NZS1754 Australian Standards sticker,
- it is less than 10 years old,
- the cover is in good condition,
- there is no fraying or stretching of the harness or top tether,
- the buckle operates easily,
- it has all the parts and accessories it was manufactured with,
- the manufacturer's instructions are available, and
- it is the correct type of seat for the child.
What if a child car restraint has been in a crash?
Child car restraints that have been in a moderate to severe crash should not be used and need to be disposed of regardless of whether the child car restraint was in use at the time of the crash. A moderate to severe crash includes any of the following:
- there were serious injuries to any vehicle occupant,
- any airbag was deployed,
- there is any visible damage to the child car restraint,
- the vehicle was unable to be driven away from the crash, or
- there was any damage to the door nearest the child car restraint.
A number of insurance companies and child car restraint manufacturers have options for the exchange of child car restraint after a crash.
How do I know if my car has anchor points for a child car restraint?
The best way to check if your car has anchor points for a child car restraint is to check the vehicle owner's manual.
The index will list child car restraints and you can then check where the anchorage points are in your vehicle.
If in doubt, it is recommended to call the vehicle manufacturer for anchorage point locations.
The Department of Transport authorises Type 2 Child Restraint Fitting Stations to install after-market anchorage points, visit Type 2 Child Restraint Fitting Stations for more information.
Can I install my own additional anchor point?
Vehicle owners are able to install their own additional anchor point, however it is a requirement that they are inspected at a Type 2 Child Restraint Fitting Station or Authorised Inspection Station. Visit the Type 2 Child Restraint Fitting Stations section of this website or the Department of Transport's vehicle inspection page for more information.
What if I am travelling in a taxi or rideshare with my child?
It is recommended to use a child car restraint whenever possible. Some taxis and rideshare services have child car restraints available, however they will usually need to be booked in advance. Alternatively, you can take your own child car restraint or hire one to take in the vehicle.
Drivers of passenger transport vehicles should read the Seat belt laws and child restraint laws section on the Department of Transports website for more information on possible child car restraint exemptions when transporting children under seven years of age.
What if my child has a disability or medical condition?
If your child has a disability or medical condition impacting their transport in a motor vehicle, it is recommended that advice is sought from an allied health professional. Allied health professionals are able to use the AS/NZS4370:2013 Standard to assist in determining the most suitable child car restraint.
Mobility and Accessibility for Children in Australia (MACA) is a not-for-profit charity which provides independent information, resources and training for allied health professionals to support the safe transport of children with disabilities and medical conditions. For more information, visit their website.
In Western Australia, the Department of Transport are able to provide exemptions to enable children with disabilities or medical conditions to be travelling safely in vehicles. Visit their Seats and seatbelts page for information on exemptions.