Child restraints

Your guide to buying child restraints

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.

What is ISOFIX?

ISOFIX is a child restraining system developed under the International Standards organisation (ISO) for child restraints which does not require the adult seat belt to be used.  The system is mainly used in Europe, with US & Canada using a similar system called LATCH  The system provides metal loops in the bight of the rear seat (where the cushion and back of the seat meet).  ISOFIX child restraints have metal latches which fit over the metal loops.  LATCH child restraints use hooks with flexible or rigid connections to connect to the loops.  This makes it easier to ensure a restraint if fitted correctly.  The top tether point is also used to anchor the top of the restraint.

Vehicles models using this restraining system are usually clearly labelled with the ISOFIX symbol in the seat cushion.  If uncertain refer to your owner’s manual.

Child restraints using the ISOFIX system are heavier and more expensive, due to the metal latches, which in Europe has led to them taking up only around 15% of the market.

All restraints sold in Australia must comply with the Australian / New Zealand standard AS/NZS 1754 child restraint for use in motor vehicles. This standard is one of the most stringent child restraint standards in the world, so restraints manufactured to this standard and properly installed offer excellent protection in a crash.  This Standard does not incorporate ISOFIX requirements but will do so from around 2013. 

Even amongst child restraints meeting the same Standard, the level of protection offered by individual restraints varies, as does the ease with which they can be installed in the vehicle. For additional information refer to the NRMA Child Restraint Ratings under the motoring heading.

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.

More information

Download the full Child Restraint Buying Guide (PDF 1MB/2 pages) 

RTA Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Stations (PDF 209KB/14 pages)

Child Restraints FAQ

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.