Child Car Restraints
Which restraint do I use for my child?
Children under 6 months
Must not travel in the front seat of a vehicle that has a back row or rows of seats.
Must use an approved child car restraint that is:
- Rearward Facing
- Properly fitted to the vehicle
- Adjusted to fit the child's body correctly
Rearward facing restraints suit:
- Birth to 9kg or 12kg (Check your restraint)
- Up to 70cm in length
Use either:
- Baby Safety Capsule
- A convertible restraint—rearward facing
Keep your baby in a rearward-facing child restraint until they reach its maximum size limits and they can sit by themselves unaided.
Children aged 6 months to under 4 years
Must not travel in the front seat of a vehicle that has a back row or rows of seats.
Must use either an approved:
- rearward facing child restraint, OR
- a forward facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness
- properly fitted to the vehicle
- adjusted to fit the child's body correctly
Forward facing restraints with an inbuilt harness are suitable for children up to 18kg in weight
Use either:
- A convertible restraint - forward facing
- A combination restraint - with in-built harness
- A toddler restraint
Keep your child in a forward facing child restraint until the child reaches the weight limit of the restraint (18kg) before moving to a booster seat.
Children aged 4 years to under 7 years
Must 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.
Must use either:
- a forward facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness (max 18kg), OR
- an approved booster seat secured with a properly fastened and adjusted seatbelt, OR separately purchased child harness
Booster seats are suitable for children up to 26kg in weight
Use either:
- A Combination restraint – stow internal harness and use with either a Lap/Sash seatbelt or Child Harness once child is over 18kg.
- A Booster seat with either an adult Lap/Sash seatbelt or Child Harness.
Keep children in a booster seat until they reach the maximum limit of 26kg. If your child is over 7 years of age and still fits in their booster seat (up to 26kg) keep using it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
From October 1, 2010 WA Law will require drivers to ensure all children up to 7 years of age travelling in their motor vehicle are restrained in an approved child restraint. The child restraint must be properly adjusted and securely fastened to the child using the restraint at all times. The laws will require that:
- Children up to 6 months must be in rear facing restraint
- Children up to 4 years must be in a restraint with an inbuilt harness
- Children aged 4 years to under 7 years must be in booster seat
- Children under 4 not permitted in front seat & under 7 not permitted in front seat unless all rear seats are occupied other children under 7 years of age in a vehicle that has a back row or rows of seats.
- There will be exemptions for children outside weight / size guidelines for existing restraints
For further information click on one of the resource links below:
The driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers are restrained, regardless of age!
A fine of $500 for 1 person unrestrained and an additional $100 per additional unrestrained passenger and the loss FOUR DEMERIT POINTS is the current penalty!
What are the Australian Standards?
All child restraints sold in Australia must meet the strict requirements of AS/NZS1754 which 
sets the minimum requirements for materials, design, construction, performance, testing and labelling of child restraint systems. Restraints bought in other countries will not meet the Australian Standard - it is illegal to use them in Australia.
Can my child sit in the front passenger seat?
Research clearly demonstrates that persons travelling in the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle are at significantly greater risk of severe injury and/or death in the event of a crash.
Under the new laws being implemented in October 2010, children under 4 years of age are not allowed to travel in the front passenger seat of a vehicle that has a back row or rows of seats.
Children aged 4 to 7 years of age can only travel in the front passenger seat of a vehicle if all rear seating positions are occupied by other children under 7 years. Children who can legally ride in the front of a motor vehicle must still be able to be correctly restrained for their age group.
Kidsafe WA does not recommend children under the age of 10-12 years sit in the front seat, especially where there is a passenger airbag fitted.
Where do I fit my child car restraint?
Kidsafe WA and other road safety experts recommend that children travel in the rear centre position as the preferred option. This position offers the greatest protection, particularly in side impacts.
A child restraint or safety harness may not be able to be placed in the centre rear seat position due to:
- The rear seat folds down in a 50/50 split
- The seat has a raised centre hump or excessive contouring
- The driver’s seat cannot be positioned to allow the driver to safely operate the vehicle without the seatback putting pressure on a rearward child restraint.
- There is no centre anchorage point
In these cases, the rear left passenger position is the most suitable option as this is usually the off-road/footpath side of the car.
What do I do if I am involved in a car crash?
If a child car restraint has been involved in a severe crash where the main body structure of the car is damaged. The child restraint should be destroyed even if there is no obvious damage and the child wasn’t using the restraint at the time. Inform your car insurer of the type and number of child restraints used in your vehicle as many insurers will assist with the cost of replacing your child’s seat.
My child car restraint is ten years old, can I use it?
Child car restraints more than ten years of age are not recommended for use because:
- Restraints older than ten years may not perform as they were originally intended
- Australian Standards are reviewed periodically. The most recent reviews were in 1995, 2000 & 2004. Older restraints will not meet new improved design features.
What about Second Hand Restraints?
It is illegal to sell any restraint that does not comply with AS/NZS 1754 (1995, 2000 or 2004 revisions). Before using a second hand child car restraint check for an Australian Standards Sticker (AS/NZS1754), date of manufacture and the history of the restraint. A checklist for second hand restraints can be found on the Kidsafe WA Child Car Restraints Fact Sheet.
For more information download a copy of the following publications:
- Kidsafe WA Child Car Restraints April 2007
- SDERA Smart Steps - Your Guide to Child Car Restraints
- Office of Road Safety - Child Restraint Laws are Changing A5 Booklet
- Office of Road Safety - Child Restraint Laws are Changing DL Brochure