Car Safety Seats
Quote:
All child restraints used in Australia must comply with current Australian standards - one of the main features of which is the use of a rear strap to an anchor point. Australian child restraint standards are some of the most stringent in the world and most overseas child restraints do not comply with these standards and cannot legally be used in Australia - this includes restraints from countries such as the UK and USA. It is advisable to hire a child restraint in Australia from a reputable hire service (see section above) rather than bringing your own from overseas.
Note the following added June 2005
Standards Australia has tightened the Australian Standard® for child restraints following concerns around the need to improve the safety of children during a side impact collision.
The revised Australian Standard® for child restraints, AS/NZS 1754 Child restraints for use in motor vehicles, was published in November 2004 and includes the requirements for more rigorous side impact testing.
The two new systems likely to be approved for the new Australian standard are the European ISOfix system, which clips the child seat rigidly in place via snap connectors at the base of the seat - particularly useful in side impacts - and a more flexible US "Latch" tether system. Both require top tether straps to further control child seat movement.
Warning
• Each child restraint must be correctly installed and it must have the Standards Australia mark.
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I haven't looked into this since 2005, so not sure how much it has changed, although I am aware that some cars are now being sold that have the ISOfix system.
I don't how how strict the police are on the seats having the "Standards Australia mark", but in the event of a serious accident, the law could become a problem if it didn't comply ?