A research study funded by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has shown that children who are restrained incorrectly are up to seven times more likely to be seriously injured in a crash than children who are restrained correctly.
If parents and carers are unsure about how to perform a baby car seat installation, they should visit an authorised fitting station to have the restraint installed by an expert. Recent research funded by RMS has shown children whose parents used an Authorised Restraint Fitting Station are nearly two times more likely to be correctly restrained than those who haven’t used the fitting station.
We believe it is for total peace of mind knowing that you have the correct car seat for your child, fitted correctly in your vehicle.
No, refer below.
Child Car Restraint Legislation:
- From birth up to the age of six months infants are to be restrained in a rearward facing child restraint (eg infant carrier or 0-4 car seat)
- From six months up to the age of four years children are to be restrained in either a rearward or forward facing child restraint with in-built harness
- From four years up to the age of seven years children are to be restrained in either a forward facing child restraint or booster seat restrained by a correctly adjusted and fastened seat belt or child safety harness.
- Children seven years and over can be restrained in an adult seat belt or booster seat.
- Children must exhaust all options available for their current age group before using the restraint type for the next age group.
Seating positions:
- Children under four years are not allowed to sit in the front seat of a vehicle if the vehicle has at least two rows of seats.
- Children aged between four and up to seven years are not permitted to sit in the front seats of a vehicle, unless all rear seating positions are occupied by children less than seven years of age.
AS/NZS 1754:2010 and 2013, are based on a child’s age and height, this has changed from earlier Standards which included weight. When using a restraint from an earlier Standard you must still comply with the manufacturers weight limits for that restraint and must exhaust all options available, before considering moving to the net category of restraints. If purchasing new, the current Standard applies and car seats are fitted with easy to use shoulder height markers clearly showing the minimum and maximum heights for each child restraint.
The newest version of the Australian / New Zealand Standard for Child Restraint (AS/NZS 1754:2013) was released on the 7th June 2013. This revised Standard includes the option for restraint manufacturers to produce ISOFIX compatible restraints as another option to the use of the vehicle seatbelt and top tether strap. ISOFIX compatible child restraints are currently not yet available in Australia.
The ISOFIX compatible system for Australia requires an ISOFIX compatible child car seat that complies with the Australian/New Zealand Standard 1754, which connects to a vehicle’s ISOFIX low anchorages and top tether anchorage point by using the child car seat’s rigid or flexible lower attachment connectors and top tether strap.
Note: ISOFIX compatible child car seats that comply with AS/NZS 1754 will also be suitable for use in seating positions not fitted with ISOFIX low anchorages. To install the child car seat in the vehicle it will require the use of the vehicle seatbelt and top tether strap. When the vehicle seatbelt is being used, the lower attachment connectors on the child car seat are not required and can be retracted.
Rigid or flexible connectors are incorporated into the design of the child restraint at the time of manufacture and both types are compatible with the vehicle’s ISOFIX low anchorages. This is why the child restraint is called an ISOFIX compatible child restraint.
- Rigid connectors: A pair of rigid connectors are located at the base of the child restraint which connect to the vehicle’s ISOFIX low anchorages. The top tether strap must be anchored to the vehicle. The vehicle seatbelt will not be required when the rigid connectors are being used.
- Flexible connectors: A pair of flexible straps with connectors are located at the base of the child restraint which connect to the vehicle’s ISOFIX low anchorages. The flexible connectors are then adjusted to secure the child restraint firmly to the vehicle. The top tether strap must be anchored to the vehicle. The vehicle seatbelt will not be required when the flexible connectors are being used.
No. Child restraints which comply with the Australian/New Zealand Standard for child restraints (AS/NSZ 1754), including ISOFIX compatible child restraints, are different to child restraints from overseas.
For example, AS/NZS 1754 child restraints are required to:
- have a top tether strap (that is independently tested for strength)
- have a rebound prevention feature (to keep a rearward facing child restraint in the correct position in the event of a crash)
- be tested in a side impact (in the event of a side impact crash)
- be tested in an inverted position to test for occupant ejection (to ensure the child does not get ejected from their child restraint if the vehicle rolls).
It will continue to be illegal to use an ISOFIX compatible child restraint from overseas.
Yes. Australian rearward and forward facing child car seats all require the use of the top tether strap. This will continue to be required for all rearward and forward facing child car seats, including any AS/NZS 1754 ISOFIX compatible child car seats.
A top tether strap prevents the child car seat from rotating forward in the event of a crash and is tested for strength, independent of the ISOFIX low anchorages or vehicle seatbelt.
Movement of a baby from rearward facing to forward facing earlier than required is not encouraged. Rearward facing car seats should be used until the baby is a minimum six months old (by law) and ideally until the height limit (or upper weight in older car seats) of the restraint in the rearward mode is reached. It should be noted that the harness straps need to be moved to different slot positions as the baby grows. The harness straps must be a maximum of 25mm above or level with the baby’s shoulders, not below.
Forward facing car seats with five point in-built harness’ should be used by children from approximately 6 months to four years and not removed from the seat until they reach the maximum height marker as indicated on the child restraint. Children using a restraint from a pre-2010 Standard should cease using the restraint once they exceed 18kg, however, should check that they also exceed the upper height limit of 2010 Standard restraints before being moved to a booster.
No, unless their shoulder height exceeds the upper limit in a current 2010 Standard forward facing restraint with a five point in-built harness.
It is a combination of a forward facing restraint with a five point in-built harness and a booster seat. The child uses the harness from approximately 6 months until he or she reaches four years or their shoulder height exceeds the required limit. Then the harness tucks away inside the restraint and the vehicle seat belt is used as in an ordinary booster until the child is seven years or their shoulder height exceeds the upper limit.
No. Only restraints that meet the Australian Standard for child restraints can be used legally in Western Australia. It is also illegal to sell or hire restraints that do not meet Australian Standards. Check your car seat to ensure it carries an Australian Standards Marker sticker AS/NZS 1754.
10 years. In terms of the lifespan the plastics in the seat anything 10 years or older should not be used. A seat may have become brittle over time, and simply will not provide the same level of protection against impact. You will find the date of manufacture on a printed label on the car seat.
If you are considering purchasing or borrowing a second hand restraint, be sure to know the history of the restraint and that it has not been involved in a crash. Second hand child restraints may not contain all the safety features of the latest Australian Standard. Also check that it is less than 10 years old.
The Standard for Child Restraints, AS/NZS 1754, requires manufacturers to include in their restraint instruction booklets the words: “Destroy the restraint if it has been in a severe crash, even if no damage is visible”. A severe crash is one where the body structure of the vehicle has been distorted. Be sure to add your car seats to your car insurance to cover any replacement costs.
The best way to check if your car has anchor points ready for a baby car seat installation is to check the car 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.