Kid's car seats

[Guest Damien]

Hi All!

 

Does anyone know the law on kid's car seats in Aus? We have a couple of booster seats that the kids use sometimes here in the UK. Kieran is 8 so that shouldn't be a problem in Australia. Daisy turns 5 at the end of April (we arrive mid March). Would a booster seat be ok for her or do we need to buy a more substantial seat once we are there? It would be great if we can simply bring their boosters over.

 

Ta,

 

Damo

[jomark]

What will the new laws mean?

 

The new laws will require children to be appropriately restrained in a motor vehicle in a suitable approved child restraint from birth up to the age of seven.

Specifically, the new laws will require children:

• up to the age of six months to be restrained in a rearward facing child restraint (e.g. infant capsule)
  
• from six months until the age of four to be restrained in either a rearward or forward facing child restraint (e.g. child safety seat)
  
• from four years until the age of seven to be restrained in either a forward facing child restraint or booster seat restrained by a correctly adjusted and fastened seatbelt or child safety harness.
  

The new laws also deal with the issue of children sitting in the front seat of a vehicle.

• Children up to four years of age must be restrained in the rear of the vehicle (where the vehicle has two or more rows of seats)
  
• Children aged between four and seven years will not be permitted to sit in the front seat unless all other seating positions are already occupied by children under seven.
  

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

It will also provide parents and carers with the advice and clarification they need about what type of restraint provides the best safety benefit for their children.

Nothing else offers the same level of crash protection for babies and young children as a properly fitted child restraint – it is one investment that parents and carers alike can’t afford not to make.

 

Dont think you can use UK seats...

 

Hope that helps

Jo

[Riponian]

 

Dont think you can use UK seats...

 

Jo

 

You are right can't remember where I read it but all Aus car seats have a anchor strap. I don't like ours but would rather be by the law just in case. I know some who chance it and use their UK ones. YOu cna pick up car seats easily enough from Big W, Toys R us etc

 

Good kuck hope that helps

Michelle

[Guest seekingsunshine]

we got ours booster seats from Baby Bunting in city - we didnt think much of of some car seats we saw but this shop has booster seats very similar to uk -just with anchor strap! lots of choice :0 safe and sound best brand apparently...

 

good luck!