Lexi Webster
In Australia, children under the age of seven must use an approved child restraint system when travelling in a vehicle. The type of restraint depends on the child's age, with children under six months needing a rear-facing car seat, and children between six months and four years old requiring either a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness. While there are varying recommendations for the safest position for a baby car seat, the rear centre seat is considered the safest by Kidsafe NT and other road safety experts as it offers extra protection in side collisions. If the rear centre seat is not an option, the rear left passenger side seat is the next best choice as it is typically further from traffic and closer to the roadside.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Child's age | Under 7 years |
| Child restraint type | Forward-facing or rear-facing child car seat (baby car seat or baby capsule) or a booster seat |
| Child restraint requirements | Must meet Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754 |
| Child car seat positioning | Middle position is technically the safest; rear centre seat is recommended by Kidsafe NT; passenger side is favourable |
| Child car seat installation | Must be installed correctly according to the manufacturer's instructions; ISOFIX is an internationally standardized fitting system for car seats |
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What You'll Learn
Child car seat safety guidelines in Australia
Age and Size Requirements:
Children under the age of seven must use an approved child restraint when travelling in a vehicle. The type of restraint depends on the child's age and size:
- Children up to six months old must use a rear-facing child car seat.
- Children aged between six months and four years must use either a rear-facing or forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness.
- Children aged four years and above can use a forward-facing child car seat or a booster seat with an adult seatbelt. However, it is recommended that they continue using a child restraint until they are tall enough for the seatbelt to fit properly, with a suggested minimum height of 145 cm.
Installation and Adjustment:
- Child car seats must be properly installed and adjusted to fit the child securely. It is recommended to have the car seat professionally installed or checked at an authorised installation service.
- The car seat's harness should be positioned just above the child's shoulders, adjusted to their height, and regularly checked as they grow.
- The harness straps should be flat against the child's torso and tightened securely.
- The car seat should be configured according to the manufacturer's instructions, such as setting it to be forward-facing or rear-facing.
Restraint and Seat Placement:
- Child restraints must meet the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754 to be approved for use.
- Booster seats must be used with a lap-and-sash type seatbelt or an approved child safety harness, never with a lap seatbelt alone. Heavier booster seats must be anchored to an anchorage point.
- In vehicles with multiple rows of seats, children under seven should be seated in the back. If they need to sit in the front due to seat availability, ensure they use an approved child car seat suitable for their age and size.
- The middle position in the back seat is considered the safest, but the passenger side is also favourable as it is off the road when getting the child into and out of the car.
Taxis and Tow Trucks:
- When travelling in taxis, it is recommended to supply your own car seat to ensure safety and cost-effectiveness. All taxis should have the correct anchor points for fitting restraints.
- In the case of a crash or vehicle breakdown, a child under 12 months can travel in a tow truck on another passenger's lap if a suitable child car seat is unavailable.
By adhering to these guidelines, parents and caregivers can ensure their children's safety while travelling in vehicles within Australia.
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The safest position for a baby car seat
The baby car seat must be appropriate for the child's size and age. Children up to six months old must use a rear-facing car seat, while children between six months and four years old can use either a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness. When installing a single child restraint in the back seat, the middle position is considered the safest as it is farthest from the sides of the vehicle. However, the outboard seats are also deemed extremely safe, and in some cases, it may be more practical to use them. For example, when recovering from labour, it is recommended to use the passenger side as it is off the road when getting the baby into and out of the car.
Additionally, if parking on the street, the passenger side is preferable as it is closer to the sidewalk, reducing the risk of being in the roadway while securing the baby. It is also important to keep the baby in their current seat until they outgrow it, rather than transitioning based solely on their age. This ensures that they remain as safe as possible while travelling in a vehicle.
In summary, while the middle position in the back seat is technically the safest, the passenger side is often favoured for its practicality and safety when loading and unloading the baby. The most important considerations are the correct installation of the baby car seat, proper securing of the child, and ensuring the seat is appropriate for the child's size and age.
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ISOFIX car seat fittings
In Australia, it is recommended that baby car seats are placed in the middle of the back seat, as it is the safest position, farthest from the sides of the vehicle. However, the passenger side is also considered safe and favourable, especially for new mothers who are still recovering from labour.
Now, onto ISOFIX car seat fittings. ISOFIX is an internationally standardised fitting system for car seats, securing your seat to an attachment point at the base. It is widely considered a more reliable way to secure a car seat as it reduces the chance of human error while fitting. An ISOFIX car seat refers to a car seat that includes an integrated base platform, which is fitted with metal ISOFIX clips. These clips are then secured to the anchor points in the car, and the car seat is left in the car at all times.
ISOFIX bases are individual base platforms that include ISOFIX anchors to which the car seat is clipped. The benefit of an ISOFIX base is that it allows you to move your car seat from the car to your travel system without uninstalling the base. With traditional belt-fit car seats, the car seat belt is wrapped around or through the car seat shell to keep it in place. However, with ISOFIX, metal alligator-style clips at the back of the car seat clip onto anchor points hidden in the back seat cushions.
ISOFIX child seats are plugged into the corresponding fitting points in the car, removing the need to use the car's seat belts to secure it. An additional top tether or support leg is used to prevent the child seat from tilting or rotating in an impact. To find out if your car has ISOFIX points, look for ISOFIX labels between the base and back of your car seats, or check your vehicle's handbook.
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Taxi travel with a baby car seat
In Australia, it is recommended that children under seven years of age use an approved child restraint system when travelling in a vehicle. This is because children in adult seatbelts are 3.5 times more likely to be significantly injured in a crash compared to those in child restraints. Seatbelts are designed for adults and do not offer enough protection for children.
When travelling with a baby in a taxi, it is always safest for them to use a car seat. If you are unable to use your own car seat, you can search online for a taxi service that provides them. For example, 13cabs offers a baby seat taxi service in New South Wales, while Bubs Taxi provides a similar service in Sydney. Some rideshare services also offer car seats for an extra fee. If you use a service that doesn't provide car seats, you may be refused transport, so it is always best to plan ahead.
In all states and territories of Australia except New South Wales, taxis must have at least one child car seat anchorage point, but they don't have to provide a car seat. In New South Wales, you can request a child car seat or booster seat when booking a taxi. If a suitable child car seat is not available, children under one year can sit on the lap of a passenger who is 16 years or older, and children aged one to seven must wear a properly fastened adult seatbelt.
When installing a single child restraint in the back seat, the middle position is technically the safest as it is farthest removed from the sides of the vehicle. However, the outboard seats are still considered extremely safe, and it is not always practical to use the middle seat. In this case, the passenger side is favourable as you will be off the road when getting your baby into and out of the car.
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The law on child car seats in Australia
In Australia, children under seven must use an approved child restraint system when travelling in a vehicle. This includes a forward-facing or rear-facing child car seat (baby car seat or baby capsule) or a booster seat. The driver is responsible for ensuring children under seven are secured by an approved child restraint suitable for their age and size. Children up to six months must use a rear-facing child car seat, while children between six months and four years must use either a rear-facing or forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness. Children between four and seven years must use a forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat. Children over seven who are too small for a seatbelt should use a booster seat or anchored safety harness.
Child restraints must meet Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754 to be approved. It is recommended that child car seats are fitted by an authorised restraint fitter or at an authorised restraint fitting station. They must be properly fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions, including adjusting the seat tightly and attaching it to an anchorage point designed for a child car seat. When installing a single child restraint in the back seat, the middle position is technically the safest as it is farthest from the sides of the vehicle. However, the outboard seats are still considered extremely safe, and the passenger side is favourable as it is off the road when getting the child into and out of the car.
Children under seven with a medical condition or disability can use an alternative child restraint designed for them, but they must carry a certificate from a doctor. If a child under 12 months is travelling in a tow truck or a taxi without a suitable child car seat, they can sit on the lap of another passenger in the back seat. If you are using a second-hand child car seat, check that it meets AS/NZS 1754, is under ten years old, is in good condition, and has straps in good condition.
It is important to ensure that your child remains in the appropriate car restraint for their size, even if they are older than what the law states. Children are at a significantly higher risk of injury or death when using adult seatbelts, as they are designed for adults and do not offer enough protection for children.
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Frequently asked questions
The safest position for a baby car seat is the rear centre seat as it offers extra protection in side collisions. If the rear centre seat is not an option, the rear left passenger side seat is the next safest choice.
All baby 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 type of baby car seat you should use depends on the age of your child. Children from birth to 6 months must use a rear-facing car seat. Children from 6 months to 4 years must use either a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness. Children from 4 to 7 years must use a forward-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat.
