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In Australia, children under the age of seven must use a child car seat when travelling in motor vehicles. The type of car seat depends on the child's age, size, and any additional needs. Children up to six months old must use a rear-facing car seat, while children between six months and four years old must use either a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness. From four to seven years old, children must use a forward-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness or a booster seat with an adult seatbelt. However, safety experts recommend that children over seven who are too small for adult seatbelts continue using booster seats. Car seats should be properly fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions, and all seats sold in Australia must meet Australian Standards (AS/NZS1754).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age to turn the car seat forward | 6 months to 4 years |
| Minimum height to use adult seatbelt | 145 cm or taller |
| Shoulder height markers | Indicate when to move to a forward-facing seat or a bigger seat |
| Child car seat standards | Australian Standards (AS/NZS1754, version 2004, 2010 or 2013) |
| Child car seat laws | Children up to 7 years must use a child car seat |
| Taxi requirements | Not required to provide child seats but must have an anchor point |
| Bus requirements | Buses with more than 12 seats are exempt from child restraint rules |
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What You'll Learn
- Children under 4 years old cannot travel in the front seat
- Rear-facing car seats are recommended until at least 12 months old
- Shoulder height markers indicate when to move to a forward-facing seat
- Booster seats must be used with a lap-and-sash type seatbelt or safety harness
- Children over 7 years old can use an adult seatbelt if they pass the 5-step test
Children under 4 years old cannot travel in the front seat
In Australia, children under 4 years old cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows. This is because the back seat of the car is the safest place for all children to sit. Until a child turns 4, they must be in an appropriate rear-facing or forward-facing child car seat in the back seat of the car. This is a minimum legal requirement.
The right type of car seat for a child depends on their age and size, as well as any additional needs. Children under 6 months must use a rear-facing child car seat. From 6 months to 4 years old, children must be secured in either a rear-facing or forward-facing approved child car seat with an inbuilt harness. It is recommended that children use rear-facing car seats until they are at least 12 months old.
Once a child turns 4, they can sit in the front seat of a vehicle with only one row of seats, but they must use an approved child car seat suitable for their age and size. If there are two or more rows of seats, children aged 4 to 7 years old must be secured in a forward-facing approved child car seat with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat. They must not sit in the front seat unless all the other seating positions in the car are taken by children under 7 years old in suitable child restraints or booster seats.
It is illegal to leave a child unattended in a car where they might be in distress or their health is in danger. It is also illegal for children under 7 years old to travel in a vehicle without using an approved suitable child restraint.
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Rear-facing car seats are recommended until at least 12 months old
In Australia, children below the age of seven must use an approved child restraint system when travelling in a vehicle. This includes rear-facing or forward-facing child car seats and booster seats. The specific type of car seat depends on the child's age and size.
Rear-facing car seats are recommended for children until they are at least 12 months old. This is a safety measure as children below one year old are at a greater risk of injury in an accident when facing forward. Their heavy and large heads, in proportion to the rest of their bodies, make them more susceptible to injuries when restrained in a forward-facing seat.
In Australia, children up to six months old must use a rear-facing child car seat. This is the minimum legal requirement. From six months to four years old, children must use either a rear-facing or forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness. This is a legal requirement, and the child restraint must meet Australian Standards.
It is recommended that children remain in a rear-facing car seat until they outgrow it, even if they are older than what the law states. Some rear-facing car seats have shoulder height markers that indicate when a child can move to a forward-facing seat. If the child's shoulders reach the highest marker, they should be moved to a forward-facing seat. However, if the child still fits in a rear-facing seat, it is safer to keep them there for as long as possible.
When installing a rear-facing car seat, ensure that the top tether is connected to the car's anchor point tightly, but not too tight that it lifts the seat. For forward-facing seats, the tether strap should be connected to the car's anchor point and pulled tight to hold the top of the seat in place. It is recommended to have child car seats fitted by an authorised restraint fitter or at an authorised restraint fitting station.
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Shoulder height markers indicate when to move to a forward-facing seat
In Australia, children under the age of seven must use an approved child restraint system when travelling in a vehicle. This includes rear-facing or forward-facing child car seats with an inbuilt harness, booster seats, or an anchored safety harness. The specific requirements vary based on the age of the child and the type of car seat being used.
Shoulder height markers on car seats are crucial indicators for ensuring a child's safety. These markers are a mandatory feature under the AS/NZS 1754 law, which governs child restraints. The upper shoulder height marker indicates the maximum shoulder height for a child in the restraint. When a child's shoulder reaches this top marker, it is time to move them to the next type of restraint.
Some car seats have two shoulder height markers. The lower marker indicates the minimum shoulder height required for a child to be turned around to a forward-facing position. If the child's shoulder is below this lower marker, they should remain in a rear-facing position. Once the child's shoulder reaches the upper marker, they are ready to transition to a forward-facing seat.
It is important to regularly check the height markers on the car seat as your child grows. This ensures that the child restraint system is appropriately adjusted to provide optimal safety. If a child moves to the next type of restraint too early, it may not offer adequate protection in the event of an accident.
In addition to the height markers, age and height guidelines should also be considered when determining the appropriate car seat for a child. For example, children under six months must use a rear-facing car seat, while children between six months and four years can use either a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat. From four to seven years, children must use a forward-facing car seat or a booster seat. However, safety experts recommend that children over seven years old continue using a booster seat until they are tall enough to properly fit an adult seatbelt, which is typically around 145 cm in height.
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Booster seats must be used with a lap-and-sash type seatbelt or safety harness
In Australia, children under the age of seven must use an approved child restraint when travelling in a vehicle. This could be a forward-facing or rear-facing child car seat or a booster seat. The driver is responsible for ensuring that children under seven are secured by an approved child restraint suitable for their age and size.
Children between the ages of four and seven must use a forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat. Booster seats must be used with either a standard lap-and-sash type seatbelt or an approved child safety harness. It is important to never use a booster seat with a lap seatbelt alone. Booster seats heavier than 2kg must be anchored to an anchorage point.
The suggested minimum height for using a seatbelt is 145cm or taller. Children over the age of seven who are too small to use a seatbelt should use an approved booster seat or an anchored safety harness.
All car seats sold in Australia must meet Australian Standards (AS/NZS1754, version 2004, 2010 or 2013). This is identified with a sticker on the hard plastic shell of the seat. The Australian Standard is one of the most stringent in the world. If a car seat is purchased from overseas, it may not meet these standards and cannot be legally used.
When riding in a bus or taxi, different rules may apply. On buses with more than 12 seats, car seats are not required. However, for taxis, the rules vary across states and territories, so it is important to check the local laws before travelling. In some states and territories, taxi drivers do not have to provide a child car seat, but must have an anchor point so that a child car seat can be fitted. In other states and territories, taxi drivers must ensure that children under 16 are properly restrained.
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Children over 7 years old can use an adult seatbelt if they pass the 5-step test
In Australia, children under the age of seven must use an approved child restraint when travelling in a vehicle. This includes a forward- or rear-facing child car seat or a booster seat. After the age of seven, children can use an adult seatbelt if they pass the five-step test. However, safety experts recommend that children continue to use a booster seat until they are 145 cm tall, which is typically reached between the ages of 10 and 12.
The five-step test is a way to ensure that a child is ready to use an adult seatbelt safely. The test involves the following steps:
- The child's bottom should be all the way back against the seat.
- The child's knees should bend comfortably at the edge of the seat.
- The belt should lie flat across the thighs and upper body, not on the stomach.
- The shoulder strap should be comfortable and not touch the neck or face.
- The child should be able to stay seated like this for the entire trip.
It is important to ensure that children are safely restrained in a vehicle to prevent injuries in the event of an accident. The five-step test helps to ensure that the seatbelt will fit correctly and provide adequate protection. While booster seats are recommended until a child reaches the height of 145 cm, the five-step test can be used to determine if a child is ready to transition to an adult seatbelt.
In addition to the five-step test, there are other factors to consider when determining if a child is ready to use an adult seatbelt. Children grow and develop at different rates, so it is important to take into account their height, weight, and bone development. It is also recommended to seek advice from a pediatrician or a Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician to ensure that your child is safely restrained in a vehicle.
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Frequently asked questions
Children under four years old must use a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness.
Children aged four to seven must use a forward-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness or a booster seat with a lap-sash adult seatbelt.
Children in this age group can only sit in the front seat if all other back seats are occupied by children under seven years old.
Car seats usually have minimum and maximum shoulder height markers to indicate if your child has outgrown their current seat. If your child has reached the maximum height marker, it's time to move them to the next type of restraint.
