Child & infant restraints

In the Community | Road safety | Infants/children + cars | Child & infant restraints

Helping YOU keep your child safe

Types of restraints	Test results
Buyers' guide to child restraints	RTA fitting locations

How should I choose the safest restraint for my child?

Follow the guidelines below to ensure that you are choosing the safest restraint for your child and using it correctly.

Select a child restraint approved to the Australian Standard. These restraints are marked with the Standard Australia 'tick-mark'.

Child restraints are designed to match a child's height and weight. When you buy a restraint you need to consider:

The size and weight of your child.
If the restraint will fit in your vehicle.

Keep your child in the most appropriate restraint suitable for their size and weight and only move them to the next category of restraint when he or she no longer physically fits.

In rearward and forward facing restraints, ensure the inbuilt harness is adjusted for a comfortable but firm fit with no slack so that the harness straps are straight and in flat contact with the child.

In booster seats, make sure the sash belt crosses the shoulder and is in contact with the child's chest. Make sure the lap belt sits low across the pelvis.

Look for booster seats with:

Sash guides or locators that will position the sash belt comfortably at your child's shoulder level.
Features to prevent 'submarining', which occurs when a child slips under the lap section of the seatbelt during a crash, with the potential for serious or fatal injury.

Always follow the restraint manufacturer's instructions when installing a restraint and placing your child in it. Incorrectly using a restraint or using a restraint that is not suitable for your child's size puts your child at a higher risk of serious injury or death in a crash.

If you are purchasing or borrowing a second-hand restraint, be VERY CAREFUL. Only use a restraint when you know its history or if it has been obtained from a reliable source.

Do not buy or use it if it has been involved in a crash, has worn straps, bent or worn buckles, or the attachment points in the plastic shell are cracked or discoloured, for example from age, overloading or exposure to the sun. Child restraints that are more than 10 years old should not be used.

Use an authorised restraint fitter if you are unsure how to fit the child restraint.

Consider the ease of use ratings. A restraint that is easier to use is more likely to be used correctly. A correctly fitted restraint offers better protection than an incorrectly fitted restraint.

Warning: Children should only use lap-only seatbelts when placed in a booster seat that incorporates a child safety harness. In a crash, the lack of upper body restraint means the head and upper body of the child will travel forward possibly allowing the head to strike the seat in front or their knees.

Types of restraints

Different types of child restraints are designed to accommodate children of specified sizes. It is important when choosing a child restraint that it is appropriate for your child's size. This may not necessarily match your child's age group, especially if they are bigger or smaller than the average children their age.

Rearward-facing restraints:

for babies up to 6 months of age or 9kg and up to 70cm in length or 12kg depending on the make of child restraint
the restraint is held in place by the seatbelt and the top tether strap
all have an inbuilt harness system.

Forward-facing restraints:

designed for young children who weigh from 8-18kg, or approximately 6 months to 4 years old
the restraint is held in place by the seatbelt and the top tether strap
the seat faces forward and incorporates a six-point harness.

Booster seats:

suitable for children 14-26kg, or approximately 4 years to 7 years old
they are used with an adult lap/sash seatbelt
booster seats with high backs and sides provide protection for children in side impact crashes as well as providing support for when they are sleeping.

Convertible forward-facing restraints:

combine the features of rearward facing and forward facing restraints in one child restraint
accommodate babies from birth up to 12kg (depending on the type of restraint) in rearward-facing mode and can then be converted to forward facing for young children from 8-18kg
all have an inbuilt six-point harness system.

Convertible booster seats:

combine the features of forward facing restraints for young children and booster seats for older children
these restraints come with an inbuilt harness and a top tether strap
the harness is used until the child reaches 18kg or until the harness straps are too tight over the shoulders.

Seatbelts:

adult lap/sash seatbelts should only be used on their own when your child is too big for a booster seat
lap/sash seatbelts offer greater protection to passengers than do lap only seatbelts, but they must fit correctly
this means that the lap belt is positioned over the hip and the sash belt sits on the shoulder and does not touch the neck.

Test results

The CREP testing and assessment program is based on tests developed in Australia to identify child restraints that offer the highest level of safety. The restraints are rated on how well they protect your child in a crash and how easy they are to use. The following tables set out the test results. Injury protection and ease-of-use ratings are each scored by stars.

Rearward-facing restraints
For babies up to 9 or 12kg

Rearward-facing restraints - For babies up to 9 or 12kg

Forward-facing restraints
For young children 8-18kg

Forward-facing restraints - For young children 8-18kgs

Booster seats
For older children 14-26kg

Booster seats - For older children 14-26kgs

Type A = Dedicated Rearward-Facing Restraint
Type A/B = Convertible Forward-Facing Restraint
Type B = Dedicated Forward-Facing Restraint
Type B/E = Convertible Booster Seat
Type E = Booster Seat