These are basic guidelines for you to follow when buying a child restraint as well as information regarding the comparative safety and ease of use of the restraints tested. Both are important factors - there is little point buying a better performing child restraint if it is not used properly.

NRMA urges parents to be very careful to purchase only child restraints carrying a label or sticker stating that it meets Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754.

Types of restraints

All child restraints sold in Australia must comply with the Australian Standard and are marked accordingly.

Rearward-facing restraints are for babies up to approximately 12 months (depending on the model of child restraint). The restraint is held in place by the vehicle's seatbelt and a top tether strap. All have an inbuilt harness system.

Forward-facing restraints are designed for young children approximately 6 months to 4 years old. The restraint is held in place by the vehicle's seatbelt and a top tether strap. The seat faces forward and incorporates an inbuilt harness system.

Convertible forward-facing restraints combine the features of rearward-facing and forward-facing restraints in one child restraint. These restraints accommodate babies from birth up to approximately 6 to 12 months in rearward-facing mode and can then be converted to forward-facing for young children approximately 6 months to 4 years old. All have an inbuilt harness system.

Convertible booster seats combine the features of forward-facing restraints and booster seats. These restraints come with an inbuilt harness and a top tether strap. The harness is used until the straps are too tight over the child's shoulders.

Booster seats are suitable for older children approximately 4 to 7 years, but it is strongly recommended that children aged 7 years and over stay in their booster seats until they are too big for them. 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.

Seatbelts Adult lap/sash seatbelts are designed for people with a minimum height of 145 cm. Lap/sash seatbelts offer greater protection to passengers than lap-only seatbelts, but they must fit correctly. This means that the lap belt is positioned low over the hip and the sash belt sits in the middle of the shoulder and does not touch the neck.

View the full Child Restraint Buying Guide (PDF 361KB/2 pages)

Test results

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

What is CREP?

The Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP) gives consumers independent and consistent information on the levels of occupant protection from injury in a crash provided by child restraints and the ease with which they can be used correctly.

The program is supported by the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), the NRMA Motoring & Services and the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV).

The results

All child restraints sold in Australia must comply with the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754 Child restraints for use in motor vehicles. This Standard is one of the most stringent child restraint standards in the world, so child restraints manufactured to this standard offer good protection in a crash. Even so, the level of protection offered by child restraints that comply to the Standard varies, as does the ease with which they can be used properly.

Most of these child restraints have been tested and assessed under the CREP. This brochure includes the latest test results and enables comparison between the performances of these restraints. Use this information as a guide when buying a child restraint by considering both the protection and ease-of-use results.