Car seats in Australia - What you need to know

[Guest]

Please note - January 2013 CREP update changes and ratings. Please read the CREP info further down the page.

I posted about this over on the sister site PIA. However I thought this would a useful thread to have as there are difference in car seat regulations between the UK/EU and Australia. This is all taken from my online research. Thought I'd share my findings.

 

Many people making the move to Australia are not aware that their UK car seats are not legal in Australia. Even if they have the latest, newest and highest rated UK/EU car seat, it won't matter a jot. It will be illegal to use in a car in Australia. Australian car seats are top tethered and have to be approved to Australian standards. Imported car seats are not tested or legal.

 

So what do you need to know

 

Child restraint laws

 

What seat does my child need?

 

Up to 6 months: Your baby must be restrained in an approved rearward facing child restraint like an infant capsule or a convertible car seat specifically designed for newborn babies. (NB - Just because you can turn your child forward facing at 6 months in Australia doesn't mean you should. Rear facing for as long as possible is advised for safety reasons).

 

6 months to 4-years-old: Your child must be in either a rearward facing or forward facing child restraint, such as a child safety seat.

 

4-years-old to 7-years-old: Your child must be in either a forward facing child restraints or a booster seat restrained by a correctly adjusted and fastened seatbelt or child safety harness.

 

You can read this information on RAC Australia, BabyCenter.com.au and also here at bubhub.com.au and kidssafewa.com.au. Just a number of websites online, national and different states, basically all saying the same thing with regard to the car seat laws. They are a national thing, regardless of state now.

 

**UPDATED CREP RESULTS JAN 2013** CREP have released their new test results. Please be aware they used additional criteria so some car seats star safety ratings have changed.

 

Car seat safety test findings from CREP (Child Restraint Evaluation Program)

 

This is the body that tests car seats on the Australian market. It has safety ratings for all types of seats. Click on the appropriate age group to view the results. Be aware some of these car seats are no longer available and newer models have been brought out. Also they are not the be all and end all in terms of testing and you should always take into account other information, test results and so on also.

 

New CREP ratings Jan 2013 - http://www.crep.com.au/crep-results.php

 

What type of car seat do I need to be looking at?

Capsule/Infant carrier - From birth to 9 months/1 year 9 or 12kg (depending on car seat limits) These are rear facing car seats.

Convertible car seat - Suitable from birth, rear facing from birth to weight/size limit then forward facing till 4 years

Forward facing car seats - 6 months - 4 years

Booster seats - 4-7 years of age. Both harnessed and seatbelt fitted. Highbacked fitted with top tether is becoming the norm.

 

A few other things -

 

* Britax is called Safe n Sound in Australia. They sell their car seats nationally. There website is here - http://www.britax.com.au/

 

* Maxi Cosi is Maxi Cosi - They currently don't appear to have an Australian website but you can find their car seats for sale online or in stores in Australia.

 

* There is also Facebook group for car seat safety in Adelaide. Adelaide Kids In Cars. Very helpful car seat experts who are more than happy to help answer your questions and more.

 

* Extended rear facing (from 1-4 years of age) is not yet available in Australia. Britax is planning to design and test an extended rear facing car seat in the not too distant future. You can find various groups on Facebook if you are interested in learning more about this. They are

 

Australian Parents for Rear Facing Car Restraints to 18 kg

Rear-Facing Down Under

Bring Extended Rearfacing To Australia

 

* There is also a thread on this forum for extended rear facing (ERF). It can be found HERE

 

* The Australia system uses the top tether. If you import a UK car you'll need to install tether points for fitting your Aussie car seats properly.

 

* Isofix is not yet legal in Australia. It has however passed a few hurdles and is currently waiting for final approval to enable car seat manufacturers to begin making and testing car seats fitted using Isofix (or the Aussie equivalent if they use the top tether also still). UPDATE July 29 2011 - Isofix is coming to Australia in 2013 - Read more HERE

 

* Please view this webpage to get an idea of a child safety harness for older children no longer needing a car seat - Scroll down the page to the last couple of photos - http://www.childrestraints.co.nz/australia.php

 

You can also find more info over on Carseatsafety.com.au and Roadwise.

 

The original thread for this is over on PIA

 

 

 

 

AUGUST 15 2012 - NEWS UPDATE ON AUS STANDARDS

You can download the draft HERE . You need to register and then download the PDF.

 

 

From a Britax press release -

 

 

On the 13th August 2012, Standards Australia released a draft of the revised Child Restraints Standard AS/NZS1754. The draft introduces a number of significant changes to the way Australian and New Zealand children will be restrained in cars in the future.

 

The key changes in the draft include:

 

• Child restraints will be made available in Australia that include lower attachment connectors allowing them to be engaged with ISOFIX low anchorages available in many cars. This new category is similar to systems offered overseas. As with all Australian child restraints, the upper tether strap is required for use;
  
• A new category of child restraints will be introduced to the Australian market, allowing most children to stay rear facing up to approximately two to three years of age;
  
• A new category of child restraint with an in-built harness for children from approximately six months up to eight to ten years of age will be introduced. Previously restraints with an in-built harness have only been available for children up to approximately four years of age;
  
• Introduction of testing and defining child restraints that are suitable for babies that are of low birth weight or premature, and
  
• Introduction of marking of child restraints suitable for aircraft travel.
  

 

The draft will be open for industry, government and consumers to review and comment until the 16th October 2012. Once the standard is approved for publication, expected to be early next year, Britax will endeavor to certify and release restraints that are compatible with ISOFIX low anchorages and within the new requirements of the standard. (Source Britax/Safe n Sound).

 

 

Edited January 16, 2013 by Guest
Added new CREP results and information

[Guest myboysjam]

Useful information, actually one thing I hadn't thought about. My oldest son will just have turned 8 when we move out at the turn of the year. Does he not need anything other than a standard seatbelt? x

[Guest]

Useful information, actually one thing I hadn't thought about. My oldest son will just have turned 8 when we move out at the turn of the year. Does he not need anything other than a standard seatbelt? x

 

Glad its useful

 

Just because he is 8 doesn't mean he is perhaps yet tall/heavy enough to be safely secured using an adult seatbelt only. Often many kids need to be in boosters for longer but are changed over because they reach an age. Honestly, an ill fitting adult seatbelt can do a lot of damage. Check with a decent store sells car seats and discuss with them the merits of if he still needs a car seat or not. If he hasn't reached the limits of the highback booster seats available I'd seriously consider using one for a while longer.

 

FWIW I would never base moving my son out of his car seat solely on his age. I always apply the height/weight factors also.

[Guest DanielleDixon]

Hi there,

 

If the forward facing car seat you have in the UK straps in using a seatbelt is this ok to use accross in Australia ?

[Guest]

Hi there,

 

If the forward facing car seat you have in the UK straps in using a seatbelt is this ok to use accross in Australia ?

 

No its not. I explained in the first post about the Australian car seats using a top tether to secure the car seat. UK car seats don't use this. Any car seat not tested and passed to the Australian standards are not legal. Therefore No UK/EU car seats are legal.

 

Buy your car seats in Australia from a reputable store.

[Jurls]

This is a really good thread and I think it ought to be stickied :wink:

[Guest Guest31881]

This is a really good thread and I think it ought to be stickied :wink:

Agreed and its done :biggrin:

[Guest nikkidel]

Snifter, do you know if NZ and Aus use the same system as each other?

We are going to be visiting Oz and NZ shortly, and wondered if we bought car seats in NZ, would we legally be allowed to use them in Oz?

 

Thanks...:biggrin:

[Guest]

Snifter, do you know if NZ and Aus use the same system as each other?

We are going to be visiting Oz and NZ shortly, and wondered if we bought car seats in NZ, would we legally be allowed to use them in Oz?

 

Thanks...:biggrin:

 

Its somewhat complicated. This explains it better than I can.

 

An approved restraint is one that meets AS/NZS 1754 standard, this is Australia's "5 Tick" standard. No other standards are accepted in Australia, it is an offence to sell, or offer for sale, a child restraint or part of a child restraint for use in a motor vehicle if it is not approved as described above.

 

Australian Standard AS/NZ1754.

 

This standard covers materials, design, construction, performance, testing and labelling of child restraints. All restraints must carry the Australian Standard AS/NZ1754 sticker.

 

Most overseas child restraints, including restraints from the UK, NZ and USA, do not comply with these Standards and cannot legally be sold in Australia.

 

Read the linked page below about the standards for both countries and the stickers needed on car seats used in Aus.

 

http://www.childrestraints.co.nz/standards.php

 

My understanding is there are some car seats sold in NZ that are also passed to be used/sold in Aus, they will display the Aussie standards sticker also. If they only have the NZ one on them they won't be legal in Aus. Car seats are imported to NZ so some come from Aus anyways IIRC. Hence them passing the Aussie standards testing.

 

Read the site I've linked to below and please contact the site owner via email and inquire as to what is what with car seats bought in NZ and then to be used in Aus. They are far better placed to tell you the info you are after and are trained to fit car seats.

 

http://www.childrestraints.co.nz/about.php

 

I'll be interested to hear exactly what they say if you don't mind dropping me a PM with the info Thanks.

[Guest nikkidel]

 

Read the site I've linked to below and please contact the site owner via email and inquire as to what is what with car seats bought in NZ and then to be used in Aus. They are far better placed to tell you the info you are after and are trained to fit car seats.

 

http://www.childrestraints.co.nz/about.php

 

I'll be interested to hear exactly what they say if you don't mind dropping me a PM with the info Thanks.

 

Thanks for that. I've emailed them and will let you know what they say.

[Alaska]

Brilliant info. I had no idea about the differences especially about isofix. I just assumed it was a standard system these days.

[leanda]

Something that may be of use to those coming over is to initially hire an approved car seat. This can be pre arranged over the Internet before arriving and fitted by an approved fitter as soon as you get here. This would then give you the option to look for an appropriate seat to buy.

 

I have just had a baby and used this service for the initial capsule as I didn't want to pay a fortune for a seat bub would only be in for a few months but I don't see why it couldn't work for people moving here.

 

I am in VIC and used hireforbaby.com.au

[Salma]

I am arriving in November and my baby will be nearly 7 months shall I get my mother in law to buy a car seat and get it fitted as I guess the police will be like hawks near the airport as many people will try n use the UK\EU seats?

[Guest]

I am arriving in November and my baby will be nearly 7 months shall I get my mother in law to buy a car seat and get it fitted as I guess the police will be like hawks near the airport as many people will try n use the UK\EU seats?

 

I'd suggest hiring one for a day or two till you can go and try some car seats out to fit your car (or seeing if your MIL can borrow one for a few days).

 

I personally don't agree with buying blind or buying before you arrive with things like car seats. Also depending on your childs size some of the capsules (infant carriers) may be too small and you'll need a next stage car seat and they are a whole other thing. It'd be lasting your child for the next few years so getting the right car seat is important.

 

As someone who is big on car seat safety can I just advise to please not be in any rush to turn your child forward facing in the next stage car seat (6 months - 4 years old stage). Just because the Aussie law allows for forward facing from such a young age, it really isn't the safest way for a baby to travel and keeping them rear facing for as long as possible is the best thing to do. Try to keep rear facing till your little one reaches the limits of weight/height of the rear facing limits to the car seat before turning it forward. In the 6 months - 4 seats, this can be anywhere between 9-14 or 15 months even.

[Salma]

I'd suggest hiring one for a day or two till you can go and try some car seats out to fit your car (or seeing if your MIL can borrow one for a few days).

 

I personally don't agree with buying blind or buying before you arrive with things like car seats. Also depending on your childs size some of the capsules (infant carriers) may be too small and you'll need a next stage car seat and they are a whole other thing. It'd be lasting your child for the next few years so getting the right car seat is important.

 

As someone who is big on car seat safety can I just advise to please not be in any rush to turn your child forward facing in the next stage car seat (6 months - 4 years old stage). Just because the Aussie law allows for forward facing from such a young age, it really isn't the safest way for a baby to travel and keeping them rear facing for as long as possible is the best thing to do. Try to keep rear facing till your little one reaches the limits of weight/height of the rear facing limits to the car seat before turning it forward. In the 6 months - 4 seats, this can be anywhere between 9-14 or 15 months even.

 

i agree i would like to have rear facing one my son on his last weigh in was 6.7kg and will b weighed regularly before we leave so best to hire one as we dont have a car or anything.

[oidara]

Another question - is there any chance the seats would be compromised by being chucked around in the hold on the plane journey? And how about low temperatures in the hold - could they cause a problem?

[Guest]

Another question - is there any chance the seats would be compromised by being chucked around in the hold on the plane journey? And how about low temperatures in the hold - could they cause a problem?

 

I have no clue.

 

My best understanding is people take car seats on planes all the time. In the cabin itself during the flight and in the hold as checked baggage. Usually they are wrapped in something if being checked.

 

As to the temperatures, again the above re plenty of other people fly their car seats.

[Guest]

Please people, this isn't a thread to debate the morals of what car seats people choose to ultimately use once in Australia. I didn't write it for that. Its to provide information and answer questions on car seats in Australia. oidara is aware of the legal and insurance aspect. Lets not tell her what she should be doing, she is well aware.

[Guest suzannah]

Thanks for this thread.

We're moving to Melbourne in 5 weeks (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and car seats have always been my biggest worry!! We have expensive Maxi Cosi seats at the moment, which fit in with isofix. Clearly not going to work in Australia, even though a lot of foreign made cars do actually have isofix points already installed...

 

I *had* planned just to use our own car seats, happy in the knowledge that they're safe etc - but after reading this we're re thinking.

 

So, thanks x

[Guest]

Thanks for this thread.

We're moving to Melbourne in 5 weeks (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and car seats have always been my biggest worry!! We have expensive Maxi Cosi seats at the moment, which fit in with isofix. Clearly not going to work in Australia, even though a lot of foreign made cars do actually have isofix points already installed...

 

I *had* planned just to use our own car seats, happy in the knowledge that they're safe etc - but after reading this we're re thinking.

 

So, thanks x

 

Hi there

 

Glad you've found it useful. Any questions, feel free to drop me a PM or ask away here. I'll do my best to help.

 

Maxi Cosi are in Aus now, although they are more limited in range than in the EU. However, some of their seats test well and have great reviews and parent feedback. The top tether with a FF car seat (so long as installed correctly with the seatbelt) is a good feature.

 

Isofix has been approved, but it won't be standard for another couple of years and UK Isofix car seats will still be illegal then. The Aussie market will have its own Isofix car seats, tested and approved.

 

Good luck with the move

[Cam]

Hi,

 

When we were out in Oz a couple of years ago we took our maxicosi babyseat as we knew it was a good seat. When we found out it was illegal, whenever we hired a car we hired a seat, sometimes from the car company, sometimes from a specialist hirer. Unfortunately we were really dissapointed.

 

The seats were about as flimsy as a supermarket shopping basket with very little padding, we also often found that the companies had not fitted the seats properly so we had to re-fit them to make them safe. When we took a taxi it was scary that they put my 8 month old in a forward facing seat that was huge and on the middle seat at the back.

 

In the end we were fed up with what we felt was putting our baby at risk that we started using our maxicosi - yes, I know this was a bad thing to do, but....

 

So my advice would be, when buying or hiring just make sure that you investigate as much as you can about the car seat to get something that is safe, also ALWAYS double-& triple-check that the seat has been correctly installed, don't just assume. Top tethers do seem harder to install safely and securely.

 

We are going to be in the same situation again in January with an almost 3 year old & a baby on the way, I was originally thinking that I'd much prefer to bring out our current isofix car seats as they are the safest on the market here, but this thread highlights that this is a very difficult situation, it seems a pain to get rid of something that is very safe & then to fork out alot of money for something that may not be as safe, I'm almost tempted to use the bus!!!:wink: Yes, I know that's not safe at all!

[Guest]

Hi,

 

When we were out in Oz a couple of years ago we took our maxicosi babyseat as we knew it was a good seat. When we found out it was illegal, whenever we hired a car we hired a seat, sometimes from the car company, sometimes from a specialist hirer. Unfortunately we were really dissapointed.

 

The seats were about as flimsy as a supermarket shopping basket with very little padding, we also often found that the companies had not fitted the seats properly so we had to re-fit them to make them safe. When we took a taxi it was scary that they put my 8 month old in a forward facing seat that was huge and on the middle seat at the back.

 

In the end we were fed up with what we felt was putting our baby at risk that we started using our maxicosi - yes, I know this was a bad thing to do, but....

 

So my advice would be, when buying or hiring just make sure that you investigate as much as you can about the car seat to get something that is safe, also ALWAYS double-& triple-check that the seat has been correctly installed, don't just assume. Top tethers do seem harder to install safely and securely.

 

We are going to be in the same situation again in January with an almost 3 year old & a baby on the way, I was originally thinking that I'd much prefer to bring out our current isofix car seats as they are the safest on the market here, but this thread highlights that this is a very difficult situation, it seems a pain to get rid of something that is very safe & then to fork out alot of money for something that may not be as safe, I'm almost tempted to use the bus!!!:wink: Yes, I know that's not safe at all!

 

You raise some valid points. I think hiring capsules or car seats is probably never going to get the best rated car seats. Chances are they factor in cost over safety and buy the lower end to mid section of the range. Top tethers are easy to install, its the seatbelt fitting of it that still lets most people down. People not familiar with seatbelt installations often make mistakes, even those who use them themselves can still install them incorrectly. If in doubt, ask someone trained and seek a second opinion or three after that if need be is my way of ensuring things are done properly.

 

I know there are some well made capsules but yes, you will have to pay for the better end spec and higher safety test rated.

 

Maxi Cosi now sell in Aus and this has helped no end in decent quality car seat options. Drop me a PM if you want to know more but their seats are widely available in store and online in Aus now. All to Aussie standards but very close to what is on sale in the EU. Also Safe n Sound have a couple of high rated car seats on the market. I think end of the day, if you are able and prepared to fork out the extra to get the better safety rated seats, you'll feel a lot happier than when you had to use the crappier hire ones.

 

And once Isofix is introduced it will help solve the installation woes many have. However I do expect the Aussies to use the the LATCH set up as used in the US which also uses a tether as well as the base.

 

Feel free to drop me a PM anytime. Also I see from your location you are living near me so would be happy to chat also if you want

[LKC]

Just a quick car seat reminder for those that have children. Make sure that you check the foam inserts regularly. I took the covers off my daughters' car seats yesterday to wash them, and found that the polystyrene shock absorbing part was cracked/broken on both. This makes them unsafe because this is the part that absorbs any impact in an accident. I presume therefore it would also have implications with regards to the insurance. Neither seat has been in an accident or dropped or anything, I can only presume that as both girls get in to their seats by themselves, they swing on the sides of the seat which has put a stress on the insert. I have no idea how long I have been driving them round in unsafe car seats for, but I shudder to think what may have happened had we been in an accident.

 

I am going to try and find out if I can replace the foam today, otherwise it will have to be two new car seats.

[Cam]

Thanks Snifter, appreciate your help, husband is so not amused by my update!!! But with so many other things to think about I guess it's going to be something to think about along the line, shame we can't sell our seats for a decent price & put it towards new ones!!!

[Guest Guest55385]

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