The law requires that children be held in an approved child seat until the age of 7. This child seat must comply with Australia/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754, which is usually identified by a sticker. It is very likely that every new car seat you buy meets this standard. Hi, are there any height and weight restrictions in Tasmania for 6 year olds weighing 23kg and 7 year olds weighing 17kg, do I need them in a booster seat? I am receiving conflicting information. Why are child restraint laws changing? Research suggests that children are placed in larger seats — or only strapped prematurely — if it doesn`t suit their size. Adult seat belts do not fit properly on a small child`s lap and shoulders, exposing the child`s belly and neck to serious injury in the event of an accident. A child who is properly restrained in an approved child restraint system is less likely to be injured or killed in a car accident than if he or she is not. Have you wondered at what age children can sit in the front seat? Child restraint rules may differ from state to state, but this article will help answer your questions by giving an overview of when children can sit in the front seat of the car. Children between the ages of 7 and 16 who are not properly wearing an adult seat belt are strongly advised to use an approved booster seat, and it is the driver`s responsibility to ensure that passengers are properly secured in an approved seat belt or child restraint. There are penalties for drivers who fail to ensure their passengers are properly restrained. As of November 30, 2010, children between the ages of four and under seven years must be restrained either in an approved forward-facing child restraint system with a fitted harness or in an approved booster seat secured by a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt. Once your child has switched to a forward-facing child seat, they should be strapped into a seat with a built-in harness until they are at least 4 years old. Most car seats have shoulder height markers that you should pay attention to, rather than their age.

Children who are not old enough to use an adult seat belt can sink into their seat. The lap part of the seat belt then rests too high on the stomach, resulting in more serious injuries in an accident. What is an “approved child restraint system”? Approved child restraint systems comply with Australian Standard (AS) 1754 and must be properly anchored to the vehicle using the anchorage system approved by the Australian Standard. The child restraint system must be properly adjusted and adjusted at all times for the child using it. All child restraint systems sold in Australia must meet the stringent requirements of AS 1754, which covers the materials, design, construction, performance, testing and marking of child restraint systems. Restrictions purchased in other countries do not comply with the Australian standard – it is illegal to use them in Australia. www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/seats-and-seat-belts.asp We can even send you a free safety guide to your home so you can check that your child seats are properly and securely attached to your car. In Australia, the legal age for a child to sit in the front seat of the car is 7 years, with most states stating that children aged 4 to 7 should not sit in the front row of a vehicle with two or more rows of seats unless the other seats are occupied by younger children or there are no other seats available. Most states also advise parents to follow the recommendations of the national child restraint guidelines, which are based on height rather than age. To help you feel safe when your baby comes home from the hospital with the appropriate child seat and properly seated, Kidsafe Tasmania offers an “individual” adjustment service.

Our team of experts will make sure your restraint systems are properly mounted on your vehicle to ensure absolute safety! So deciding when children can sit in the front seat depends on your situation and the state you live in, but consider your child`s size, national recommendations, and the law when deciding what is safest for your child. They must meet all of these requirements before they are old enough to sit in the front seat (or in the back seat without a booster seat). Travelling with young children in your car? Have you ever wondered if you didn`t do something right with their car seats? We`re here to help you on your way with our car seat tips. roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/children/childcarseats/index.html Indeed, an adult seat belt is designed for people with a minimum height of 145 cm. Research shows that adult seat belts are not properly fastened until they reach this height. Then a seat belt rests on the strongest bone in the body. Follow this link for information on child restraints and car seats – www.transport.tas.gov.au/roadsafety/people/carseats After the age of 4, your child can legally travel in a booster seat with an adult seat belt. However, we strongly recommend that you do not put them in a booster seat until they have passed their other seat. Children can only wear an adult belt without a child seat (booster seat) at the age of 7. In fact, experts recommend that children stay in a child seat until they reach 145 cm! A passenger 4 years of age or older but under 7 years of age must not be in the front row of a motor vehicle with 2 rows of seats or more, unless he or she is in the row(s) behind the first row: Children 7 years of age and older must be restrained or www.mylicence.sa.gov.au/road-rules/seatbelts-and-child-restraints As mentioned above, Some States have made changes to their national laws.

For example, Victoria, News South Wales and South Australia no longer consider age “7” as a magic number to remove a child from a child restraint.