From baby capsules and booster seats to fitting and installation, get the information you need to keep your kids safe.
Choosing the safest child restraint or car seat can be daunting, but we’re here to help. In this section you’ll find all the key things you need to know about child restraints so you can make an informed decision.
There are four types of restraints available:
Choosing the right restraint depends on the age and size of your child. A child should remain in a particular restraint until they’ve outgrown it. Here’s a guide:
Rearward-facing restraints should be used from birth until your baby has outgrown it. Only move to a forward-facing restraint once your baby's shoulders are above the top shoulder height marker on the restraint.
There are two types of rearward facing-restraints available:
Only move your child to a forward-facing child restraint when their shoulders no longer fit between the shoulder-height markers on their rearward-facing restraint.
Children will use a forward-facing seat until at least four years of age and often until they’re older.
There are three types of forward-facing restraints available:
Booster seats should be used with a lap/sash seatbelt once a child no longer fits into their forward-facing restraint. Check this by seeing if your child’s shoulders fit between the shoulder-height markers on the restraint.
It’s safest for children to use a booster seat until they outgrow it. Some booster seats suit older children until around 10 years of age.
There are two types of booster seat available:
Can my child use a booster cushion?
Booster cushions were removed from the 2010 Australian Child Restraint Standard and are no longer manufactured but may be available to buy second-hand. Booster cushions don’t offer side or head protection in a crash, so they’re unsafe to use and not recommended.
Booster seat tips:
Did you know children who use an adult seatbelt too early are 3.5 times more likely to sustain a significant injury? This is why it’s so important to keep children in their booster seat until they outgrow it.
The law requires children seven to 16 years to use a properly fastened and adjusted booster seat or seatbelt, whichever is most suitable. Continue using a booster seat until children are at least 145cm tall – which is the minimum height required to wear an adult seatbelt.
Don’t allow children to slump when sitting in a seatbelt. The lap belt must be on their thighs.
Is your child ready to use a seatbelt?
If you answered yes to all the questions, your child is safe to travel with an adult seatbelt.
Fitting a child restraint can be harder than you think. In fact, 70% of child restraints aren’t installed correctly – which can lead to serious injury or death in a crash.
RACV recommends you have child restraints professionally installed. RACV has a network of restraint fitters throughout Victoria who can fit your restraint or check that it’s installed correctly.
Even after a seat is properly installed, the seatbelt and tether can loosen over time, so it’s important to check these regularly and adjust them as your child grows.
What should I check?
There are regular checks you can do to make sure you’re using your car seat correctly, these include checking:
Tip: Keep the instructions that came with the restraint or look them up online in case anything needs adjusting.
Child restraints and most booster seats need to be attached via a top tether strap to an anchor point in the car. Typically, the anchor point can be found on the parcel shelf in sedans and on the floor area in station wagons, vans and hatchbacks. Some station wagons may have the anchor point on the inside roof area.
Depending on when a car was manufactured, this will be either a special anchor bolt or anchor fitting. For the location of anchor points in your vehicle, refer to your owner's manual.
Be careful not to confuse a luggage hook with an anchor point.
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