Baby car seats and child restraints

Babies under 6 months must use a rearward-facing restraint until they outgrow 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 2 types of rearward-facing restraints:

1. single purpose restraints, which can only be used in a rearward-facing position and used from birth until the child outgrows it
2. convertible restraints, which remain rearward-facing until baby out-grows this position, then can be used as a forward-facing restraint. 

Keep in mind: 

• Never put a rearward-facing child restraint in the front seat due to the high risk of injury from an airbag.
• If you want to cover your baby with a blanket, put it on over the top of the harness.

For more information, watch tips for using rearward-facing restraints.

There are 3 types of forward-facing restraints available:

1. single-purpose restraints, which can only be used in the forward-facing position
2. convertible restraints, previously rearward-facing seats can be adjusted to the forward-facing position
3. forward-facing restraint/booster seat combinations, used as a forward-facing restraint until the child has outgrew then used as a booster with a lap or sash seatbelt.

Children will use a forward-facing seat until at least four years of age and often older. When your child has outgrown their forward-facing child restraint, they can be moved to a bigger model with an inbuilt harness or to a booster seat.

You can check this by seeing if your child’s shoulders fit between the shoulder-height markers on the restraint.

For more information, watch tips for using forward-facing restraints.

There are 2 types of booster seat available:

1. single purpose booster seats, which have side and head protection designed to be used with a lap or sash seatbelt and usually have a top tether
2. forward-facing restraint/booster seat combinations, used as a forward-facing restraint until the child has outgrew, then used as a booster with a lap or sash seatbelt.

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.

Booster seat tips

• Use a booster seat with back and side wings for more protection in a crash.
• Boosters with a top tether help secure the booster in a car.
• Seatbelt guides help the sash pass over the child’s shoulder rather than their neck.
• The seatbelt should sit flat on your child’s torso, and low and tight over their hips.

Can my child use a booster cushion?

Booster cushions were removed from the 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.

For more information, watch tips for using booster seats.

The law requires children over 7 to use a booster seat until they’ve outgrown it, then use an adult seatbelt. A child must continue using a booster seat until they pass the 5 step test.

To check if your child is ready to use a seatbelt, ask yourself the following:

• Does my child sit with their back flat against the seat?
• Do my child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat?
• Does the belt cross the shoulder properly between the child’s neck and arm?
• Is the lap belt as low as possible and touching my child’s thighs?
• Can my child stay seated comfortably like this for the whole trip?

If you answered yes to all the questions, your child is ready to travel with an adult seatbelt.

Remember, children who use an adult seatbelt too early are 3.5 times more likely to sustain a significant injury.

For more information, watch how to tell if your child is seat belt ready.

Whether you’re looking to buy a pre-loved restraint or hire one for a short period, the same checks apply before use. These include:

• meets the Australian Standard
• there’s no obvious signs of wear on the straps or plastic shell
• the buckle and adjusters work properly
• the seat is the right size for your child and can fit in your car
• has an instruction manual or can find it online.

Particularly when buying a second hand seat, you should:

• know the year of manufacture - don’t buy a restraint that's more than 10 years old
• check there is no wear and tear and the buckle clicks into place securely
• ask the owner if the restraint has ever been in a crash. If it has, the restraint shouldn’t be sold
• check the safety rating and compare the safety with other seats.

You can hire restraints, such as capsules, for short-term use by contacting your local council or hire service. 

For more information:

• Download Tips for buying a second hand restraints (PDF) 
• Watch second-hand child restraints.

There may be special considerations for children with disabilities, medical conditions or behavioural problems. 

You should consult with a health professional, such as an occupational therapist, to choose the most suitable restraint. 

For more information visit:

• VicRoads - children with additional needs
• Mobility and Accessibility for Children and Adults (MACA)

There are regular checks you can do to make sure you’re using your car seat correctly. This includes checking the:

• tether strap is firmly attached to the anchor point (see your car’s manual for anchor point locations)
• seatbelt or ISOFIX connectors are properly secured into place
• harness and the seatbelt are firm and without twists
• gap between the child and harness is no more than 2 fingers
• child’s shoulders are within the correct range of the shoulder height markers
• restraint is still right for the child's height.

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.

Importantly, never install a rearward-facing restraint where there is an active front passenger airbag due to the high risk of injury.

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. Be careful not to confuse a luggage hook with an anchor point.

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 car’s manual.

The law requires parents to only use child restraints that meet the Australian Standard (AS/NZ 1754:2013). These restraints display an Australian Standard approved sticker. 

All child restraints sold in Australia must comply with the Australian Standard and display an Australian Standard sticker. It’s illegal to use an overseas model or a restraint that doesn't meet these requirements.

Booster cushions were removed from the standard in 2010 and are no longer manufactured. RACV does not recommend booster cushions as they don’t provide any side impact or head protection.