Image source from childcarseats.com.au
Australian Road Rules (Rule 226) were revised in 2010, and adopted nationally. Main points:
- Current rules are based primarily on age, but size is also considered;
- If the child is too tall or too large, it is OK to move to the next category of seat.
- Driver is always responsible to ensure passengers are complying with road rules.
CHILDREN UNDER 6 MONTHS OF AGE MUST:
- Use a rearward facing restraint that is properly fitted to the vehicle, and adjusted to fit the child’s body correctly.
- Not travel in the front seat of a vehicle, that has a back row or rows of seats.
CHILDREN 6 MONTHS TO 4 YEARS OF AGE MUST:
- Use either a rearward facing restraint OR a forward facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness, that is properly fitted to the vehicle and adjusted to fit the child’s body correctly.
- Source Kidsafe National position 18/5/18
- Not travel in the front seat of a vehicle, that has a back row or rows of seats.
CHILDREN 4 TO 7 YEARS OF AGE MUST:
- Use either a forward facing child restraint with inbuilt harness OR a booster seat, with a properly fastened and adjusted seat belt.
- Not travel in the front seat of a vehicle that has a back row or rows of seats, unless all the other back seats are occupied by children, who are also under 7 years of age.
CHILDREN OVER 7 YEARS OF AGE MUST:
- Use either a booster seat with a properly fastened and adjusted adult seatbelt, OR an adult seat with an adult seatbelt.
The Law is the minimum requirement, Here are Baby Restraint fitters as qualified restraint fitters we encourage parents to use the child restraints as per the Manufacturers specification and keep the child in their seat until they exceed the limit of the child restraint.
We would encourage parents to keep:
- Rear facing until 2 years – must be over the minimum height marker to go forward facing and to the maximum to go forward facing – Read the shoulder guides on the child restraint.
- Forward facing (once they have reached above the forward facing label usually around 2 years and beyond and in a harnessed child restraint until 7 years old in a harnessed child restraint (depends on your child restraint limits).
- Boosters for older children and again until they outgrow their harnessed child restraint or booster.
This is something that you simply don’t want to rush to move your child to the next child restraint.
Click here to download your free Infographic “It’s The Law”.
Words by Hire for Baby
KNOW FOR SURE. GET IT DONE RIGHT.
Book with a professional fitter:
https://www.hireforbaby.com/product-category/restraint-fittings/
