Child car restraints

Child restraint ratings

Choosing the most suitable child car restraint for your child is no easy task. However, the RAC, in conjuction with the NRMA, RTA, TAC and RACV is helping members make the right choice though its involvement in the national Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP). Building on the work of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), CREP assesses restraints in three categories: rearward-facing restraints for babies, forward-facing restraints for young children and booster seats for older children. The restraints are then given ratings of between one and five stars for the level of protection they provide to a child during a crash and how easy they are to use. The latest CREP brochure brings these results together and enables parents and carers to easily make comparisons between the performances of the restraints, which can then be used as a guide when buying one.
The brochure includes all the restraints on the market up to the time of testing, and which comply with the current Australian standard.
Download the child restraint testing overview (pdf) Download the child restraint testing results (pdf)

New child restraint regulations have been implemented

As of 1 October 2010, strict new regulations governing the use of child car restraints came into effect.

The regulations specify the type of restraint to be used according to the child’s age.

These changes are in line with national legislation.

Children up to six months old:

• Must be in a rearward-facing restraint with built-in five-point safety harness.
• Are not permitted in the front seat of vehicles with two or more rows of seats.

Children from six months to four years old:

• Must be in a rear or forward-facing restraint with a built-in five-point harness.
• Are not permitted in the front seat of vehicles with two or more rows of seats.

Children from four to seven years old:

• Must be in a forward-facing restraint with a built-in safety harness or a booster seat with a lap sash seatbelt (this means a standard fitted seatbelt, not a lap-only belt) or a child safety harness.
• If sitting in the front seat must be placed in an approved child restraint or booster seat.
• Are not permitted in the front seat unless all rear seats are occupied by children less than seven years old.

Children who exceed weight / size guidelines for existing restraints will be able to use restraints suitable for the next age group.

The new laws will reduce the risk of injury caused by the use of restraints which are unsuitable for a child’s size, by specifying the type of restraint to be used at different ages and where children must be seated in a vehicle.

For more information about the new child restraint regulations, visit www.childcarrestraints.com.au.

For more information about the most appropriate child restraint for your child and vehicle, contact the Child Car Restraint Information Line on 1300 780 713.

Further information can also be sourced from Kidsafe WA on 9340 8509 or 1800 802 244 or by visiting www.kidsafewa.com.au.

Types of child restraints

Capsule

Rearward-facing restraint with an inbuilt harness or other means of retaining the occupant, suitable for infants whose mass is up to 9kg, and corresponding supine length is up to 700 mm.

Convertible child restraint

A dual-purpose forward or rearward-facing child restraint also known as a convertible child restraint. Use rearward-facing up to 9kg or 12kg (check manufacturer instructions) and forward facing from 9kg to 18kg.

Minimum weight and age recommendations for children in forward-facing seats are 8kg and at least six months of age.

See an installed rearward-facing child restraint

Dedicated forward-facing restraint

Forward-facing seat with built-in harness, suitable for children whose mass is within the 8kg to 18kg range.

Combination booster

Combination of forward-facing restraint with built-in harness that can be stowed away and the restraint used as booster. Suitable for use with built-in harness for children 8kg to 18kg. Suitable for use as a booster seat for children 14kg to 26kg.

Booster

A booster seat, which is held in place by the interaction between the child, the booster seat and the car's lap/sash belt or an additional harness. Suitable for children 14kg to 26kg.

Boosters are available in two basic configurations:

• a booster seat comprising a cushion complete with backrest ; and
• a backless booster cushion.

Note: According to Kidsafe WA, the backless booster cushion seats will disappear from the market over the next few years as they are no longer included in the Australian Standard. Parents and carers should therefore choose their booster seat with this in mind.