Baby Car Seat Standards Australia

As important as the type of car or booster seat is ensuring that it s correctly fitted and adjusted is equally as critical to safety.

Baby car seat standards australia.

All child car seats sold and used in australia must comply with australian standard 1754 crep nd. From the top of the seat for the shoulder height marker to exit the seat. There are also booster seats that children can use until they are at least 10 years old. Namely there is no minimum height.

The minimum legal requirements for using child car seats in australia are based on age. The mandatory standard is based on the 2004 2010 and 2013 versions of australian and new zealand standard as nzs 1754 child restraint systems for use in motor vehicles. Remember that kids should keep using a booster for as long as possible at least until they can pass the five step test for good seatbelt fit. 4 7 years.

Your baby must be restrained in an approved rearward facing child car seat such as an infant capsule or a convertible car seat specially designed for babies. Keep your child in a forward facing car seat with a harness and tether until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat s manufacturer. Some models allow for children to be rear facing for 12 months while others offer up to 2 5 years which is often preferred because of the increased safety of the rear facing position. Once your child outgrows the forward facing car seat with a harness it s time to travel in a booster seat but still in the back seat.

Up to six months. As nzs 1754 is a voluntary standard except for those sections in the 2004 2010 and 2013 versions specifically called up by the mandatory standard. Children under six months must use a rear facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness. It s one of the most stringent child car seat standards in the world ensuring your child is better protected in a crash.

Children aged six months up to four years must use a rear facing or forward facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness. 6 months to 8 years these forward facing seats can be used as soon as your baby is no longer legally required to be rear facing. There are laws in each australian state and territory that regulate which car seat you need for your child from birth to 16 years crep nda nra and kidsafe australia 2013. Issues with 2010 aus car seat standard the 2010 australia standard have a number of issues inherent in them.