Guest Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/motor/design/adr_comment.aspx It would appear 2012? Unfortunately too late to leave feedback. If its 2012 its now been moved forward. I think that is when the standards will be passed but the seats themselves will have to be designed and tested etc before being sold. So 2013 is still looking more realistic. But if Isofix is ready to use in 2012 you won't hear anyone complaining :cute: Just knowing how these things can get bogged down I am not holding my breath. TBH they don't have much to do as its a standard thing elsewhere and many cars sold in Aus are fitted with Isofix points these days. They can do as we do in the UK and use either seatbelt fitted (only with the top tether) or Isofix (and I think they'll keep the top tether then also and adapt the US LATCH type stystem). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frostie Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Oh so glad i have just read this. We were off to Halfords tommorow to buy daughter aged 3 a Graco booster seat with a back. Pressumed we would just take ours to oz with us...Opps guess not. I will now not buy that car seat and like everyone else will have to look into getting them fitted in our Rental veichle for the 1st week or so and then go and buy new ones. Another expense on arrival ( I wonder if these could go under relocation costs with our eployer??? ) Thanks for the post & info Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Oh so glad i have just read this.( I wonder if these could go under relocation costs with our eployer??? ) If your employer is paying relocation costs child car seats are definitely one of the things you should be claiming for. You can't bring your own as they're not legal in Australia (your employer would presumably have to pay for the transport of your own seats if they were) so you have to replace them purely due to your relocation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Oh so glad i have just read this. We were off to Halfords tommorow to buy daughter aged 3 a Graco booster seat with a back. Pressumed we would just take ours to oz with us...Opps guess not. I will now not buy that car seat and like everyone else will have to look into getting them fitted in our Rental veichle for the 1st week or so and then go and buy new ones. Another expense on arrival ( I wonder if these could go under relocation costs with our eployer??? ) Thanks for the post & info Mandy When you get to Aus, if the car seat costs are being met by your employer then ensure you get the proper seat for your daughters age/height (even if they are not meeting the cost I'd always advise getting the correct seat for the age group where possible). A highback booster at age 3 isn't actually advised (nor legal unless to tall or past the weight limit). And for your child's optimal safety a proper sit in FF car seat is the way to go till she reaches the upper limit of it's height and weight limits. There are plenty out there that will last a young child till 4 or 5 years of age and are much better in terms of safety than the highback boosters, which are tbh pretty flimsy in comparison. Also ensure that whatever car seat you do buy will fit into not only your rental but the car you eventually buy. Some car seats will not fit certain makes/models of cars and you end up with a useless car seat and having to buy another. You can always check the car seat make and model online to see if it fits specific vehicles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frostie Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 When you get to Aus, if the car seat costs are being met by your employer then ensure you get the proper seat for your daughters age/height (even if they are not meeting the cost I'd always advise getting the correct seat for the age group where possible). A highback booster at age 3 isn't actually advised (nor legal unless to tall or past the weight limit). And for your child's optimal safety a proper sit in FF car seat is the way to go till she reaches the upper limit of it's height and weight limits. There are plenty out there that will last a young child till 4 or 5 years of age and are much better in terms of safety than the highback boosters, which are tbh pretty flimsy in comparison. Also ensure that whatever car seat you do buy will fit into not only your rental but the car you eventually buy. Some car seats will not fit certain makes/models of cars and you end up with a useless car seat and having to buy another. You can always check the car seat make and model online to see if it fits specific vehicles. Thanks for the advice. Checked today and they will pay so would get them the best anyway. I am hoping to rent the same type of car we would buy so hopefully that would work out ok. I am not to keen on the booster idea either but when you have tall kids the options off different seats really do narrow down. My 3 yr old is just not fitting in her maxi cosi seat any longer Have had a look on babies r us .com.au and there are a few options there for her. Thanks again for the post. I would have been checking all the car seats in at the airport had i not read it. Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Thanks for the advice. Checked today and they will pay so would get them the best anyway. I am hoping to rent the same type of car we would buy so hopefully that would work out ok.I am not to keen on the booster idea either but when you have tall kids the options off different seats really do narrow down. My 3 yr old is just not fitting in her maxi cosi seat any longer Have had a look on babies r us .com.au and there are a few options there for her. Thanks again for the post. I would have been checking all the car seats in at the airport had i not read it.Mandy FWIW many car seats sold in Aus now have a height limit rather than being solely based on weight. Safe n Sound have changed their approach and they make some decent car seats that are suitable for taller children. Good luck with it all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frostie Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Thanks again for the help... Just googled safe and sound au and found one which will suit from 6months to 8 years. Will be great for my youngest daughter :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Many thanks for this useful thread! I have ERF BE SAFE seats from SCandinavia and was upset to learn I wont be able to use them. My 3 yr old has just reached the height limit for it and it broke my heart to turn her forward facing. I will be traumatised to turn the baby whenever we arrive! I looked into this a few months ago and on another forum was told of a story of a woman in Australia who kept her child rear facing past the weight limit and the child was in an accident. She was charged with child endangerment. I dont know many other details. I guess if we arrive in the next few months then it is unlikely there will be a rearfacing seat for my 12mth old!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 I guess if we arrive in the next few months then it is unlikely there will be a rearfacing seat for my 12mth old!!! Depending on your 12 month olds weight and size you may find they can remain rear facing in an infant capsule for a while longer. Some babies can stay in them till 14 or 15 months as they are on the smaller side. Ensure you look for ones for the higher weight limit, not the lesser one for capsules. Only a handful are made but they are out there. ERF is on the way. If Safe n Sound are to be believed, a car seat is in the works, but it is a ways off still yet. If there is anything I can do to help re what sort of car seat etc, places to buy/get them properly fitted etc, drop me a PM. Am happy to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Oh she is a big girl by weight and height! She weighs 11kgs already! Thanks for the offer of help! You would think Safe n Sound could just use the Britax multitech and make a few adjustments! Ah well, i have a good buggy and plan on living fairly central so hopefully car trips will be few and far between! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaz36 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 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. ) It is possible to hire a decent car seat. I did my research, decided I wanted a Maxi Cosi Mico capsule, and contacted Hire for Baby, a hire company I found out about through the bounty bag at hospital. I also saw them at a baby show. They didnt have any left, as they apparently go out the door very quickly, so they bought one in especially for me, and I am the first to hire it, for 6 months. It would've cost about $400 to buy, and I am hiring it for around $165 for 6 months, then will buy a convertible car seat. This suits me for now as I can move a newborn easily from the carseat to the pushchair chassis without disturbing her. They also fit the seat for a small fee. Here's the link if anyone is interested: http://www.hireforbaby.com/franchise2.php?id=164 Cath was extremely helpful as the car I had didnt even had an anchor point bolt thingy, (European car) and she helped sort it all out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 It is possible to hire a decent car seat. I did my research, decided I wanted a Maxi Cosi Mico capsule, and contacted Hire for Baby, a hire company I found out about through the bounty bag at hospital. I also saw them at a baby show. They didnt have any left, as they apparently go out the door very quickly, so they bought one in especially for me, and I am the first to hire it, for 6 months. It would've cost about $400 to buy, and I am hiring it for around $165 for 6 months, then will buy a convertible car seat. This suits me for now as I can move a newborn easily from the carseat to the pushchair chassis without disturbing her. They also fit the seat for a small fee. Here's the link if anyone is interested: http://www.hireforbaby.com/franchise2.php?id=164 Cath was extremely helpful as the car I had didnt even had an anchor point bolt thingy, (European car) and she helped sort it all out. Thanks for this. I was aware of those as they are advertised around and about online. They are specialist hire companies for hiring car seats (and I think other childrens products from) I think in the hire car industry they tend not to have such a wide range to choose from and hire them with a hire car much as you can do in elsewhere in the world. So often you can be stuck with a very limited choice as to what you get with the hire car for a week or few days. I know when we have hired a car the choice has been one seat type and that was it. And it wasn't a great one so we opted to use our own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartertucker Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Great thread :notworthy: So usefull Just off to read more & digest :wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jje Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 "Also the use of a top tether is law in Australia hence all Aussie car seats using them" I was over in Aus recently on a reccy trip. The hire car from Redspot had the two kids seats I asked for but neither of them had a top tether, they were only restrained by the seatbelt. (The seats also didn't have a hole for the seatbelt so it wasn't really positioned correctly over the kids' shoulders, but that's a different matter). Is the hire company supplying illegal seats? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 "Also the use of a top tether is law in Australia hence all Aussie car seats using them" I was over in Aus recently on a reccy trip. The hire car from Redspot had the two kids seats I asked for but neither of them had a top tether, they were only restrained by the seatbelt. (The seats also didn't have a hole for the seatbelt so it wasn't really positioned correctly over the kids' shoulders, but that's a different matter). Is the hire company supplying illegal seats? My understanding of it is based on numerous readings, webpages, legal stuff, talking to people and so on. You can also find out about top tethering in Aus via a number of websites/links. The information is easily found. Some of which are http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-01/esv/esv18/CD/Files/18ESV-000193.pdf http://www.caradvice.com.au/58898/child-restraint-safety-how-will-australias-new-laws-affect-your-child/ (it is mentioned in this article) http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/children/childrestraints/childrestraintlaws_faqs.html http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/countries/australia.htm http://www.cadoges.com/auto-quotes/2010/10/17/safe-child-restraint-in-modern-cars-australia-v-europe.html http://idisk.mac.com/mpaineau-Public/CRS_effectiveness_Australia.pdf Some of those might be the same article or similar but you get the idea. Its mandatory. You are supposed to use them as car seats are designed and tested to be used with them. Cars in Aus are built with the top tether fittings and if imported they can be put in if a car does not have them. If someone can find me info that says its not mandatory or doesn't need to be used I'de be interested to read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jje Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 I'm still not completely clear on whether the hire company was breaking the law or not because the seats didn't have a top tether fitting at all (the car did though), but it does look like they supplied illegal seats. Hmmm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 I don't know what the law is on the company supplying 'illegal' car seats. That is not an area I've researched nor do I know what their legal obligations are to someone who hires their cars or seats etc. Or their own policies in place. As to who is at fault should the police have stopped you, again, I don't know. I don't know if the law would say it should be you as in possession of the car etc or the hire company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartertucker Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Just bought my 1 year old a very expensive 'safe n sound AHR seat'....The plus is it will last her until approx 7/8 years old....The down side is it doesnt recline, well, it does a little, but her head always falls forward when she sleeps....:sad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Just bought my 1 year old a very expensive 'safe n sound AHR seat'....The plus is it will last her until approx 7/8 years old....The down side is it doesnt recline, well, it does a little, but her head always falls forward when she sleeps....:sad: If she is small height wise you could still probably get her into a capsule or car seat rear facing still, so her head won't fall forward, she'll be tilted back more in a capsule (infant car seat). If you don't want to buy one check around and look for places that rent them (yes, they do this over there) so you can get use of one for 6 months or till she is bigger for the AHR. Will save having to buy one but you know you'll have a decent seat. A few capsules do go up to 12kg or so rather than the 9kg most capsules seem to be. And now they do them on height also which helps but can be confusing to begin with. Which one did you get exactly as they now come with height markers and in some if she hasn't reached the height marker for turning facing forward you can keep her rear racing so her head won't loll forward when sleeping. The Platinum one is from birth to aged 4 and does this. I think though from the age range you mention you got the AHR Maxi Rider which doesn't have the rear facing to one/height limit option on it. Did you look at Maxi Cosi (Dorel) seats at all? They are in Aus now and have a few on the market and IIRC their ones do tend to be a little kinder to smaller people in terms of seat position. And IIRC do fare well in the safety tests. I think its the Maxi Cosi Air and again is suitable up to aged 6 or 7 or so, depending on height. Its narrower than the AHR's but means people can fit 3 in the back of a car (some parents have done this apparently with success). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VasSur Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Thanks for the post Snifter, was about to ship our baby car seat we have in the uk to Perth Australia, and I'm glad I read this post, thanks a lot for the info, very useful !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest55385 Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 After 3 months of coping with shoddy Australian car seats and using 1 decent English one, I am now shipping our British ones over. IMO Australian car seats are poorly designed and dangerous to use. I will be taking the risk in using my British car seats until Australian ones drastically improve!!! So far I've been using a high back booster seat for my 9 yr old, even though they don't use seats past 8 yrs here, and I've not been questioned over it. We have bought a european car with isofix points and will be using a British isofix carseat. I will be more than happy, if ever stopped, to appear in court with a wealth of Swedish based literature that demonstrates how dangerous Australian car seats are! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 After 3 months of coping with shoddy Australian car seats and using 1 decent English one, I am now shipping our British ones over. IMO Australian car seats are poorly designed and dangerous to use. I will be taking the risk in using my British car seats until Australian ones drastically improve!!! So far I've been using a high back booster seat for my 9 yr old, even though they don't use seats past 8 yrs here, and I've not been questioned over it. We have bought a european car with isofix points and will be using a British isofix carseat. I will be more than happy, if ever stopped, to appear in court with a wealth of Swedish based literature that demonstrates how dangerous Australian car seats are! That is your choice. I am not going to judge you on it. To be fair though, there are some good car seats. Britax and Maxi Cosi both sell car seats in Aus (some of these are pretty much the same as ones sold in the EU). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiechick2006 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Hi Snifter, Many thanks for putting so much into this very important thread! I'm moving back home in May and will need to get car seats for my girls who will be nearly 4 & 6. I've been searching on line although can't seem to find many sites to have a look. Do Kmart still sell seats? If so do you know roughly how much they are? Do most 6yrs olds still use high back boosters over there? Hopefully I can get my mum to buy them before we're over ready for when we're picked up at the airport. Sorry about all the questions! AC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Hi Snifter, Many thanks for putting so much into this very important thread! I'm moving back home in May and will need to get car seats for my girls who will be nearly 4 & 6. I've been searching on line although can't seem to find many sites to have a look. Do Kmart still sell seats? If so do you know roughly how much they are? Do most 6yrs olds still use high back boosters over there? Hopefully I can get my mum to buy them before we're over ready for when we're picked up at the airport. Sorry about all the questions! AC Happy to help I'll drop you a PM later with some info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 I'm going to look into splitting this thread with ERF in its own thread as its still not in use in Aus and I'd personally like to keep to whats legal to use there in the hear and now and have ERF have its own discussion. I'll see what the other mods think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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