Babies aged up to 6 or 12 months must use an infant restraint. It must be correctly installed in your vehicle and adjusted properly to fit your baby. If it is not, the restraint may not protect your baby properly in a crash.
When using a restraint, follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly or go to a Restraint Fitting Station - their operators have been specially trained to install approved infant and child restraints in a wide variety of vehicles.
When do I need to use an infant restraint?
Choose the right infant restraint
Only use approved infant restraints
Install the infant restraint correctly
Adjust the restraint to snugly fit your baby
| Type |
Weight |
Age (approx) |
| Infant restraint |
Up to 9 kg or 12 kg |
Up to 6 or 12 months (700 mm – 850 mm) |
| Convertible restraint – rearward facing |
Up to 9 kg or 12 kg |
Up to 6 or 12 months (700 mm – 850 mm) |
Your baby should always be properly restrained in the car, whenever you travel.
Always wait until your child has outgrown their current restraint before changing to the next size.
Restraints can be either single purpose (only face rearward) or 'convertibles'. Convertible restraints are used facing rearward until the baby weighs 9 kg - 12 kg and are then turned around to face forward. Rearward facing travel is safer.
The best time to choose a restraint is well before your baby is born. This will give you time to fit the restraint in your car.
Test any restraint you are thinking of buying to ensure:
- It fits your vehicle (including seat belts and anchorage points)
- There’s enough head room to allow you to lift the baby in and out easily
- It is easy to put in and adjust each time you use it
- That other passengers will be comfortable when the restraint is in the position you want to use.
Some cars need modification or special accessories to fit a restraint correctly.
Only restraints certified to meet the AS/NZS 1754 standard are approved for use, sale and hire in Victoria.
Using a second-hand restraint can be risky, unless it is less than 10 years old, has never been involved in a serious crash and is in good condition (no signs of wear on straps, plastic shell is not cracked, buckle is working properly). Make sure to also ask for the instruction booklet and all the parts.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly or go to a Restraint Fitting Station - their operators have been specially trained to install approved infant and child restraints in a wide variety of vehicles.
Make sure:
- The restraint faces rearward allowing the baby to lie down while supporting the back and neck in the event of a crash
- The restraint uses the car seat belt and a tether strap which attaches to the car by an anchor fitting or anchor bolt. Do not use in vehicle seats that face rearward or sideways.
Anchorage points can be found on the parcel shelf in sedans and on the floor or roof area in station wagons, vans and hatchbacks. If your vehicle does not have an anchorage point you will need to get one made.
Note: A rearward facing restraint must not be used if the restraint is in a position where it will be hit by an exploding airbag.
A baby or toddler can be ejected or injured in a crash if the harness is not firmly adjusted.
You will need to adjust the harness as the baby grows; the manufacturer's instructions tell you how.
When using an infant restraint remember:
- It’s suitable for babies weighing up to 9 kg or 12 kg.
- Shoulder straps should come from slots that are level with or just above the baby's shoulders. They must not be below the baby's shoulders. You will need to move the harness straps to higher slots as the baby grows.
- Check every time that the harness is adjusted properly to fit the baby as snugly as possible. If you use a bunny rug, put it on the baby after you have fastened the restraint.
- Babies using rearward facing restraints should not wear more than one nappy. The nappy should not be thickly folded at the back otherwise the baby's back will not be evenly supported.
- If you have a convertible restraint, use it facing rearward until the baby weighs 9 kg or 12 kg and then turn it around to face forward. Check the weight limits on the restraint.
Top of Page