If you choose to use a second-hand child car seat, make sure you know its history. Children who are 7 years and over may sit in a standard seat with an adult seatbelt, or an approved booster seat/cushion secured with an adult lap-sash seatbelt or an H-Harness. In all states and territories of Australia except New South Wales, the following laws apply: In New South Wales, children under one year must use a child car seat in a taxi. There are legal requirements in Australia around child car … See the Centre for Road Safety website for detailed information about seatbelts. Nothing Ive ever experienced in Australia has even come close to … Up to that height, for children 7-16, it is recommended that an approved booster seat is used. June 26, 2019 Child car seat laws in Western Australia have come along way when it comes to travel safety and children. Australia’s safest baby and child car seats have been revealed, with tests uncovering disturbing – and potentially fatal – flaws. 6 months to 4 years The minimum legal requirement for your child is an approved forward facing child seat with an inbuilt harness. You must check the seat to make sure it’s suitable for the height of your child. comes with all the parts, including the instruction booklet. Child Car Seat Laws in Australia. Car seat laws for babies from birth to six months. If a police officer thinks that a child aged over seven years isn’t wearing an adult seatbelt correctly, the officer can give you an infringement notice. It’s important that you use only accessories that come with the child car seat, or accessories approved for use with that particular car seat. This is why it’s important to take your child out of the car seat when you get out of the car, even if they’ve fallen asleep. If you’re buying accessories for your child car seat – like seatbelt modifiers, covers, inserts or padding – always look for those with Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 8005. This means all children under seven years of age must be seated in a child car seat. What car seat does my child need? By law, children aged seven years and older can use adult seatbelts, but only if they’re big enough. Many children aren’t big enough to safely wear an adult seatbelt until they’re 10-12 years old. The minimum legal requirements for using child car seats in Australia are based on age: Children under six months must use a rear-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness. What if my child doesn't fit in the seat that's required for her age? By law, all drivers and passengers must wear seat belts if they are fitted in the vehicle. They can sit on an adult passenger’s lap, without sharing the seatbelt. © 2006-2020 Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited. All rights reserved. The Standards label should be on the packaging of new child car seats and on the car seat itself. You can ask the shop to let you try fitting a display model in your car. Sit with their backs firmly against the seat back. Buses are vehicles with more than 12 seats, including the driver. In all Australian states, it is illegal for any child aged 7 years old or under to travel in a vehicle without proper child restraints. You can check the safety performance of child car seats at Child Car Seats. When your gorgeous newborn is ready to go home, from the hospital, for the very first time, it is a very emotional time for the new parents. When you’re buying a new child car seat, it’s a good idea to check that it will fit in your car before you buy it. This can be a baby capsule or a convertible child car seat. In some states, taxis can provide a child car seat if you order it ahead of time. Car Seat Law ()Law: Children through age 6 shall properly use an aftermarket or integrated child passenger restraint system which meets FMVSS 213 and use a size-appropriate restraint system which shall include the following: . Six months to four years car seat laws The Australian Road Rules allow a child up to the age of seven years with a disability or medical condition to sit in the front seat of a vehicle if the driver is carrying a medical certificate and provided the child is properly restrained in either an approved child restraint or one that is fit for purpose. If you want advice about moving your child into a different car seat, it’s a good idea to ask your child and family health nurse or another professional. 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