Rules for child restraints
- A baby under 6 months of age must travel in a rearward facing approved child restraint
- A child 6-months to under 4 years must travel in either a rearward facing OR forward facing approved child restraint (the type of restraint will depend on the child's size)
- A child aged 4 years to under 7 years must travel in either a forward facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness, or an approved booster seat. A booster seat can be used with a lap-sash seatbelt or child safety harness (the type of restraint will depend on the child's size)
- A child aged 7 years to under 16 years can travel in either an approved booster seat or an adult seatbelt (the type of restraint will depend on the child's size).
- A person 16 years and over can travel in an adult seatbelt
Rules for child restraints
- A baby under 6 months of age must travel in a rearward facing approved child restraint
- A child 6-months to under 4 years must travel in either a rearward facing OR forward facing approved child restraint (the type of restraint will depend on the child's size)
- A child aged 4 years to under 7 years must travel in either a forward facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness, or an approved booster seat. A booster seat can be used with a lap-sash seatbelt or child safety harness (the type of restraint will depend on the child's size)
- A child aged 7 years to under 16 years can travel in either an approved booster seat or an adult seatbelt (the type of restraint will depend on the child's size).
- A person 16 years and over can travel in an adult seatbelt
Tips for child restraints
- It is safest for children to continue to use their child restraint until they are too big for the restraint. Most child restraints have shoulder height markers to indicate whether the restraint is too big or too small for the child.
- Choosing the safest seat is the first step to ensuring your child's safety. You can check the safety ratings of child seats on the Child Car Seats website.
- Any child under 145cm tall is safest travelling in a booster seat or a child restraint.
- When fitting a child restraint follow the manufacturer's instructions or, better still, have it fitted at a child restraint fitting station so you are sure it is installed correctly. Safe Seats, Safe Kids offer a free child restraint checking service at locations across Victoria.
- If you have decided not to buy a new child restraint you may be able to hire a child restraint from a local council.
- Do not use a second hand child restraint if you do not know the history of the restraint, child restraints must be replaced after they have been involved in a crash.
Moving to an adult seatbelt
Prior to moving to an adult seatbelt you should conduct the 5 step check:
- Can the child can sit with their back against the seat back
- With their knees bent comfortably over the front edge of the seat cushion
- With the shoulder belt across the mid-shoulder
- The lap belt low across the top of the thighs, and
- Can they stay in this position for the duration of a trip
Find out more information on child restraints
- The Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP) is a partnership between government and motorist organisations dedicated to improving safety for children travelling in vehicles and has information on making the safest choice for your child based on their age.
- Safe Seats, Safe Kids child restraint checking stations
- VicRoads Child Restraint information
- RACV child restraints.