Find answers to some of the most common questions about child car seat safety.
If you need further information or advice, contact the Child Car Seat Safety Information Line:
Phone: 1300 780 713 (WST)
Email: [email protected]
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Getting Started: Laws, Standards and Basics
Children must use a child car seat that is certified to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754:1995 or a subsequent standard.
Birth to six months of age
Children this age must be restrained in a suitable rearward-facing child car seat.
Examples include capsules and rearward-facing convertible child car seats.
Six months to four years of age
Children this age must be restrained in:
- a suitable rearward-facing child car seat, or
- a forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness.
Four to seven years of age
Children this age must be restrained in:
- a suitable forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness, or
- a booster seat restrained by a lap-sash seatbelt or child safety harness.
Seven years and over
Children this age must be restrained in:
- a suitable child car seat, or
- a seating position fitted with a seatbelt.
Only child car seats that are certified to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754 can be used in Western Australia.
Child car seats that are certified to Australian Standards carry an Australian Standards mark sticker. If the child car seat does not carry the Australian Standard mark, it cannot be used in Western Australia.
Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754:2013 and 2024 include the option for restraint manufacturers to produce ISOFix compatible child car seats. ISOFix is available for a range of child car seats designed for children from birth to four years old. ISOFix child car seats offer similar protection to those fitted with a seatbelt; however, it may assist with ease of installation.
To use ISOFix, vehicles must have pre-existing ISOFix lower anchorage points in the vehicle as well as an anchor point for a top tether strap. To determine if your vehicle is suitable, check your vehicle owner’s manual.
Existing child car seats without ISOFix cannot be converted to use ISOFix, only child car seats with ISOFix and certified to AS/NZS 1754, can be used.
There is no requirement to have your child car seat installed by a fitter in WA, however, it is recommended to ensure correct installation and adjustment.
If you are unsure, contact a Type 1 Child Car Restraint Fitter for an installation or inspection.
Contact a Type 2 Child Restraint Fitting Station if you need after-market anchor points installed or inspected.
Child car seats with an internal harness can be installed using a lap-only seatbelt and a top tether strap.
When using a booster seat, a lap-sash belt offers far better protection than a lap-only belt.
If you must use a lap-only belt, use a booster plus an approved child safety harness (where permitted by your booster model) or choose a forward facing seat with extended inbuilt harness.
Consider installing lap-sash seatbelts, additional anchorage points or reconfiguring seating — a Type 2 Child Restraint Fitting Station can provide additional information.
Depending on the children’s ages, this is an option.
Every child must be in a suitable child car seat that is properly fitted and adjusted. Children four years and older, are unable to sit in the front of vehicles with two or more rows, unless all other positions are already occupied by children under seven years. Refer to FAQ 22.
When choosing a child car seat, there are a variety of considerations, below is a list of some of the most common:
- Purchase price does not indicate how a child car seat will perform in a crash. Visit the Child Car Seats website for an unbiased evaluation on protection and ease-of-use for a large range of child car seats.
- All child car seats must meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754:1995 or subsequent standard for child car seats.
- If the child car seat needs to be moved frequently, ideally choose one that is light and easy to install correctly every time.
Important features to consider:
- Is it the right type of child car seat for the age and size of your child?
- Is the harness height easy to adjust?
- Does the child car seat fit in your vehicle?
- Will there be enough room for other child car seats and passengers?
- Can it be installed with minimum movement on the vehicle’s seat?
- Do you want to use ISOFix?
- How long will you be able to use the child car seat with your child?
- Is the child car seat comfortable for the type of journeys you usually travel?
If you are considering purchasing or using a second-hand child car seat, it is recommended that you consider the following:
- The child car seat must have an AS/NZS 1754 Australian Standards sticker.
- Child car seats older than 10 years are not recommended for use and should be disposed of correctly. Refer to FAQ 30.
- The history of the child car seat should be known. Seats involved in a moderate to severe crash should not be used.
- The seat cover should be in good condition.
- There should be no fraying or stretching of the harness straps or top tether.
- The harness buckle should operate easily.
- The top tether hook should be in good condition and include the plastic safety clip.
- The child car seat should include all original parts and accessories.
- The manufacturer’s instructions should be available.
- The child car seat should be the correct type for the child.
*For more information on a moderate to severe crash, refer to FAQ 29.
Only accessories that are supplied with your child car seat, or specifically approved by the manufacturer for use with that child car seat, should be used.
Australia has a Standard for child car seat accessories: AS/NZS 8005.
Before purchasing or using an accessory, always check that it has been certified to either:
- AS/NZS 1754
- AS/NZS 8005
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for correct use.
Choose and use child car seats based on fit and shoulder height markers, not age alone.
Many child car seats now allow for extended use, higher harness limits and wider seat designs. Transition to the next stage only when your child:
- has reached the age requirements
- has fully outgrown the current restraint mode
Options for taller children at different stages include:
- Rearward-facing seats – extended rearward-facing options are available until approximately 30 months of age.
- Forward-facing internal harness seats – options are available until approximately eight years of age.
- Booster seats – options are available until approximately 10 years of age.
Installation and Vehicle Fit
The best way to check whether your vehicle has anchor points for a child car seat is to refer to the vehicle owner’s manual.
The manual index will usually include a section for child car restraints and identify the anchorage point locations within the vehicle.
If you are unsure, it is recommended that you contact the vehicle manufacturer for confirmation of anchorage point locations.
In Western Australia, the Department of Transport authorises Type 2 Child Restraint Fitting Stations to install after-market anchorage points.
For more information, refer to the Department of Transport’s Fitting Child Car Restraints document.
Vehicle owners can install their own additional anchor points. However, these installations must be inspected by either:
- a Type 2 Child Restraint Fitting Station, or
- an Authorised Inspection Station.
For more information, refer to the Department of Transport:
Yes. However, vehicle width, seat design and buckle access can affect which child car seats are suitable for use.
Where required, consider using narrower child car seat models and ensure that seatbelt pathways and buckles remain accessible.
A Type 1 Child Car Restraint Fitter can assist with configuring three child car seats across a single row of seating.
Using Child Car Seats: Age/Stage Transitions
Children must use a child car seat that is certified to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754:1995 or a subsequent standard.
Birth to six months of age
Children this age must be restrained in a suitable rearward-facing child car seat.
Examples include capsules and rearward-facing convertible child car seats.
Six months to four years of age
Children this age must be restrained in:
- a suitable rearward-facing child car seat, or
- a forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness.
Four to seven years of age
Children this age must be restrained in:
- a suitable forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness, or
- a booster seat restrained by a lap-sash seatbelt or child safety harness.
Seven years and over
Children this age must be restrained in:
- a suitable child car seat, or
- a seating position fitted with a seatbelt.
Only child car seats that are certified to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754 can be used in Western Australia.
Child car seats that are certified to Australian Standards carry an Australian Standards mark sticker. If the child car seat does not carry the Australian Standard mark, it cannot be used in Western Australia.
Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754:2013 and 2024 include the option for restraint manufacturers to produce ISOFix compatible child car seats. ISOFix is available for a range of child car seats designed for children from birth to four years old. ISOFix child car seats offer similar protection to those fitted with a seatbelt; however, it may assist with ease of installation.
To use ISOFix, vehicles must have pre-existing ISOFix lower anchorage points in the vehicle as well as an anchor point for a top tether strap. To determine if your vehicle is suitable, check your vehicle owner’s manual.
Existing child car seats without ISOFix cannot be converted to use ISOFix, only child car seats with ISOFix and certified to AS/NZS 1754, can be used.
There is no requirement to have your child car seat installed by a fitter in WA, however, it is recommended to ensure correct installation and adjustment.
If you are unsure, contact a Type 1 Child Car Restraint Fitter for an installation or inspection.
Contact a Type 2 Child Restraint Fitting Station if you need after-market anchor points installed or inspected.
Child car seats with an internal harness can be installed using a lap-only seatbelt and a top tether strap.
When using a booster seat, a lap-sash belt offers far better protection than a lap-only belt.
If you must use a lap-only belt, use a booster plus an approved child safety harness (where permitted by your booster model) or choose a forward facing seat with extended inbuilt harness.
Consider installing lap-sash seatbelts, additional anchorage points or reconfiguring seating — a Type 2 Child Restraint Fitting Station can provide additional information.
Depending on the children’s ages, this is an option.
Every child must be in a suitable child car seat that is properly fitted and adjusted. Children four years and older, are unable to sit in the front of vehicles with two or more rows, unless all other positions are already occupied by children under seven years. Refer to FAQ 22.
When choosing a child car seat, there are a variety of considerations, below is a list of some of the most common:
- Purchase price does not indicate how a child car seat will perform in a crash. Visit the Child Car Seats website for an unbiased evaluation on protection and ease-of-use for a large range of child car seats.
- All child car seats must meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754:1995 or subsequent standard for child car seats.
- If the child car seat needs to be moved frequently, ideally choose one that is light and easy to install correctly every time.
Important features to consider:
- Is it the right type of child car seat for the age and size of your child?
- Is the harness height easy to adjust?
- Does the child car seat fit in your vehicle?
- Will there be enough room for other child car seats and passengers?
- Can it be installed with minimum movement on the vehicle’s seat?
- Do you want to use ISOFix?
- How long will you be able to use the child car seat with your child?
- Is the child car seat comfortable for the type of journeys you usually travel?
If you are considering purchasing or using a second-hand child car seat, it is recommended that you consider the following:
- The child car seat must have an AS/NZS 1754 Australian Standards sticker.
- Child car seats older than 10 years are not recommended for use and should be disposed of correctly. Refer to FAQ 30.
- The history of the child car seat should be known. Seats involved in a moderate to severe crash should not be used.
- The seat cover should be in good condition.
- There should be no fraying or stretching of the harness straps or top tether.
- The harness buckle should operate easily.
- The top tether hook should be in good condition and include the plastic safety clip.
- The child car seat should include all original parts and accessories.
- The manufacturer’s instructions should be available.
- The child car seat should be the correct type for the child.
*For more information on a moderate to severe crash, refer to FAQ 29.
Only accessories that are supplied with your child car seat, or specifically approved by the manufacturer for use with that child car seat, should be used.
Australia has a Standard for child car seat accessories: AS/NZS 8005.
Before purchasing or using an accessory, always check that it has been certified to either:
- AS/NZS 1754
- AS/NZS 8005
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for correct use.
Choose and use child car seats based on fit and shoulder height markers, not age alone.
Many child car seats now allow for extended use, higher harness limits and wider seat designs. Transition to the next stage only when your child:
- has reached the age requirements
- has fully outgrown the current restraint mode
Options for taller children at different stages include:
- Rearward-facing seats – extended rearward-facing options are available until approximately 30 months of age.
- Forward-facing internal harness seats – options are available until approximately eight years of age.
- Booster seats – options are available until approximately 10 years of age.
Day-to-Day Use and Comfort
Every trip: check the harness is firm and untwisted, the seatbelt is correctly connected, with no twists or ISOFix is connected, check that the top tether is connected.
Regularly: check shoulder-height markers; raise harness slots/headrest as needed.
Whenever moved/cleaned: re-install as per the manual.
After cleaning the child car seat, re-assemble as per the manual.
Travelling with Car Seats: Taxis, Rideshare and Public Transport
It is recommended that children use a child car seat whenever possible when travelling in taxis or rideshare vehicles.
Drivers of passenger transport vehicles should read the Seat belt laws and child restraint laws section on the Department of Transport website for more information on possible child car seat exemptions when transporting children under seven years of age.
After a Crash, Repairs and End-of-Life
Child car seats involved in a moderate to severe crash should not be reused and should be disposed of, regardless of whether the child car seat was occupied at the time of the crash.
A moderate to severe crash is one where the main body structure of the vehicle has been damaged and includes any of the following:
- A vehicle occupant sustained serious injuries.
- An airbag was deployed.
- There is visible damage to the child car seat.
- The vehicle could not be driven away after the crash.
- There is damage to the door nearest the child car seat.
A number of insurance companies and child car seat manufacturers have options for the exchange of child car seat after a crash.
Child car seats that are damaged, involved in a crash (unless able to be exchanged) or older than the recommended 10 years, should be disposed of in an unusable condition.
If disposing of a child car seat at home, remove the cover, accessories and harness, cut the webbing so it cannot be reused, and clearly mark it as unsafe.
Children with Disability or Medical Needs
If your child has a disability or medical condition impacting their transport in a motor vehicle, it is recommended that advice is sought from an allied health professional. Allied health professionals can use the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4370:2013 to assist in determining the most suitable child car seat.
Mobility and Accessibility for Children and Adults (MACA) is a not-for-profit organisation that provides independent information, resources and training for allied health professionals supporting the safe transport of children with disabilities and medical conditions.
For more information, visit their website .
In Western Australia, the Department of Transport can provide exemptions to enable children with disabilities or medical conditions to travel safely in vehicles. Visit their Seats and seatbelts page for information on exemptions.
