Car seats in Australia - What you need to know

**Alaska** · 05-09-2011, 10:06 PM

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

**leanda** · 05-09-2011, 10:38 PM

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** · 07-09-2011, 02:00 PM

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?

**snifter** · 07-09-2011, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by 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?

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** · 07-09-2011, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by snifter

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** · 11-09-2011, 07:36 AM

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?

**snifter** · 11-09-2011, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

**snifter** · 11-09-2011, 08:57 AM

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.

**suzannah** · 03-10-2011, 09:14 AM

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

**snifter** · 03-10-2011, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by 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

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 :)