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?

By law, every child must use a suitable restraint when travelling in a vehicle.

As a parent, you should choose the restraint that provides the highest level of protection and make sure you use it correctly.

Every year many children are injured or killed in car crashes. Often injuries were caused by the use of an incorrect child restraint (where the child is too young and/or too small for the restraint), or by a restraint being fitted incorrectly.

You should follow the guidelines below to ensure that you are choosing the safest restraint for your child.

• You should always select a child restraint approved to the Australian/New Zealand Standard. These restraints will be marked with the Standards Australia 'tick-mark'
  and a statement of compliance.
• 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 age and only move them to the next category of restraint when he or she no longer physically fits.

• Always follow the 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.
• 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 or over exposure to the sun.
• Consider the ease of use ratings.

Types of restraints

Always select a child seat approved to the Australian Standard.

Rearward facing restraints:

• for babies and infants up to 9kg and less than 70cm in length (approximately 6 months of age)
• have an in-built harness.

Forward facing restraints:

• for young children who weight from 9 to 18kgs (approx 6 months to 5 years old)
• the restraint is held in place by the seat belt and the top tether strap
• the seat faces forward and incorporates a six-point harness.

Booster seats:

• suitable for children between 14 and 26kg until they are large enough to be safely secured by an adult seat belt. Incorrectly placing the belt under the arm or behind the back increases the risk of injury in a crash
• provide support for your child when sleeping
• position the seat belt comfortably over the shoulder and across the waist
• use the sash guide to position the belt across your child's shoulder
• should only be used with a forward-facing restraint.

Convertible restraints:

• can be used as a rearward-facing restraint (birth to about 6 months)
• as a forward facing restraint (about 6 months to 5 years of age)
• as a forward facing restraint and booster seat.

Lap/sash belts:

• should only be used when the child is too big for a booster seat
• keep your child in a booster seat for as long as possible until he or she no longer physically fits
• always make sure the child uses the sash part of the belt correctly.

Test results

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

Rearward-facing restraints for babies
For babies up to 9kgs, 70cm in length; from birth to 6 months

Forward-facing restraints for young children
For young children 8-18kgs; from 6-9 months to approximately 5 years

Booster seats for older children
For 14-26kgs; until they are large enough to be safely secured by an adult seatbelt.

The tables above set out the test results. Injury protection and ease-of-use ratings are each scored from A, to D, with A the highest score.

Blue - Protection from injury in a crash

Grey - Ease of Correct Use (including instructions, labelling, installation and securing the child)

Buyers' guide to Child Restraints

 Buyers' Guide to Child Restraints (PDF 533KB/2 pages)

• In NSW, it is illegal to use a child restraint in the front passenger seat of a vehicle if there is a passenger airbag fitted
• Ensure the restraint is installed correctly. See a restraint fitter if in any doubt
• Always use the top tether strap
• Ensure your child always keeps both arms within the harness system of the child seat or the seat belt of the booster seat
• When using an adult belt with a booster ensure seat belt is correctly fitted over the child's shoulder
• Move your child into booster only when they don't fit into a child seat anymore
• Move your child into a child seat only when they don't fit in the infant restraint anymore
• Using a restraint incorrectly greatly increases the risk of serious injury in a crash
• Using a restraint that is designed for a larger/older child also increases the risk of serious injury in a crash.

RTA Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Stations

 RTA Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Stations (PDF 247KB/13 pages)

More information

Don't know whether to hire or buy? Can't get your child to stay strapped in? Get the answers in our Child Restraints Q&A