Child restraints - a guide to car seats

The most important reason for using a car seat is to protect your child. An approved and properly fitted car seat may reduce the risk of death or serious injury in road crashes by up to 70%.

The law requires that:

• Children from birth to 7 years old must be in a correctly fitted car seat.
• Children from 7 years to 16 years old must continue to use a correctly fitted car seat or seatbelt depending on their size.
• If you don't have your child in a correctly fitted car seat it could cost you 3 demerit points and a $350 fine.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Your car seat must meet the Australian Standards. This means it will have the AS/NZS 1754 code on the label.

The following table will help you choose the right car seat for your child. The car seat must suit your child's age and size. It is important not to move your child from one car seat to another too early.

The 5 Step Test below will help you to make this decision.

Children need different types of car seats as they grow. Young children should move to the next type of car seat once they reach the manufacturer's maximum height/weight limit for the car seat.

A child's height and weight are important to consider when choosing the right car seat or booster seat:

• If a child is too tall or heavy for their car seat they can use the car seat for the next age group.
• If a child is too small to move into the next type of car seat for their age they should stay in the car seat for the previous age group.

Some car seats can be adjusted to fit your child as they grow.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Always buy a car seat that fits your child, never buy a car seat that is too big.

It is important to check that:

• It has not been in a crash
• There are no obvious signs of wear and tear
• The harness straps are not stretched, torn or fraying
• It is not sun damaged.

Don't use a car seat that is more than 10 years old.

Most children do not fit into a seat belt properly until they are around 12 years old.

The 5 Step Test can help you check if your child is ready to wear an adult seat belt.

'The 5 step test'

The '5 step test' to check if your child is ready to move from a booster to a seat belt

1. Can your child sit all the way back against the seat? YES or NO
2. Do your child's knees bend comfortably in front of the edge of the seat? YES or NO
3. Does the sash (shoulder) belt sit across the middle of the shoulder not on the neck or the arm? YES or NO
4. Is the lap belt sitting low across the hip bones touching the thighs? YES or NO
5. Can your child stay seated like this for the whole trip? YES or NO

YES = 5: YES Seat Belt

NO = 1 or more: NO Booster Seat

To keep your child safe the car seat must be properly installed in your car. If it is not properly installed it could come loose or move and your child could be injured in a crash.

You can install a car seat yourself.

The car seat should come with instructions (manufacturer's instructions) on how to install it. You should follow the instructions step by step. Most car seats need to be connected to an anchor point to hold them tightly in place.

If you can't find an anchor point check your vehicle's owners manual. If you don't have an anchor point you must get one made and fitted by a professional. If you want help to install a car seat RACT or an accredited car seat fitter can help.

ISOFIX is a way to attach a car seat. This technology is fairly new to Australia. ISOFIX car seats have two arms on the back that fit into clips built into on the bottom of the back seat.

ISOFIX MUST be used together with a top-tether strap connected to an anchor point to hold them tightly in place. Some new cars have ISOFIX anchor points, check your vehicle manual to find out where they are.

It is illegal to use an ISOFIX car seat that does not meet the Australian Standards. This means it will have the AS/NZS 1754 code on the label.

The back seat of the car is the safest place to put a car seat and for children to sit. The safest position to put a car seat is the middle of the back seat or the left hand passenger side.

Children under 4 years old can sit in the front seat if the car does not have a back seat. But the child must be in an approved car seat that has been properly fitted and secured.

A child that is over 4 years old can sit in the front seat if the back seat is full of other younger children. But the child must be in an approved car seat or booster seat that has been properly fitted.

Children 7 years and older should sit in the back seat if there is room, but can legally sit in the front.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: A rear facing car seat should never be used in the front seat if there is a passenger airbag, because it is dangerous.

Check the car seat properly fits your child every time you buckle them up. The child should fit comfortably in the car seat. Tighten straps and harness so they are above the shoulder, but not above the ear. If you can pinch the strap, then it is too loose.

If the straps are too loose the child will move around and could even come out of the car seat if you stop suddenly or are in a crash. Make sure all buckles are securely fastened.

Are there any exemptions?

Children with a medical condition or physical disability can receive a car seat exemption. Parents and carers should seek advice from a health professional, such as an occupational therapist, who can recommend the restraint/seat which is best for the child.

Taxis and Buses

Taxis and buses are exempt from supplying car seats, therefore children are not required to be seated in a car seat when travelling by taxi or bus. For this exemption, a bus means a motor vehicle built mainly to carry people that seats over 12 adults (including the driver).

However all passengers including children must wear seatbelts if they are fitted.

Children under 12 months old are allowed to sit on the lap of an adult passenger of a bus or taxi providing they are not in the front row of seats of the vehicle. Never let children share a seat belt with another passenger because it is dangerous.

For more information on child car seats contact:

Department of State Growth

Telephone: 1300 135 513

Kidsafe
Telephone: 0417 381 721
Website: kidsafetas.com.au

RACT (APPROVED FITTERS)
Telephone: 13 27 22
Website: ract.com.au