Questions about child restraints : VicRoads

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Frequently Asked Questions

Wearing a seatbelt and using child restraints properly are very effective in preventing and/or reducing injury in a road crash.


Seatbelts and child restraints must be properly fitted and adjusted to suit each person if you want them to provide maximum protection.

What’s the law?

  • By law, you (the driver) are responsible for ensuring that all passengers are restrained correctly.
  • The restraint must be approved, match the child’s age and weight, be fitted correctly to the vehicle and adjusted to fit the child’s body. 


Are child restraints effective?

  • Child restraints help prevent injury in crashes. They must be properly fitted to the vehicle and adjusted to fit the child’s body if they are to provide maximum protection.
  • Each year in Victoria, children travelling in cars are needlessly killed or injured because they are unrestrained or not restrained correctly.
  • RACV research shows that about 70% of child restraints are not installed correctly. A child restraint that has not been fitted properly can result in serious injury or even the death of a child in a crash.
  • Child restraints need to be used when travelling at low speed or short distances because most crashes happen within 10 km of home.
  • Even if children travel in the back seat, they are not safe unless they are restrained.


Where is the safest place/seating position for a child to travel?
  • The back seat is safer than the front seat.
  • The middle position is safest. However do not use a lap belt if a lap sash belt is available.


What can I do if my child is too big for a booster seat?

While the new laws aim to cater for the majority of children, a provision will be included to ensure a child is not required to use a restraint unsuitable for their height and weight.

A child, who is too heavy for the restraint recommended for their age, should use a restraint for the next age category. For example, if a child is too big for a booster (greater than 26kg), a seatbelt can be worn or an approved child safety harness can be used in conjunction with a lap belt or lap/sash seatbelt. In addition there are products such as SafeFit which can help achieve good seatbelt fit.

If my child is in a booster seat do they also need to be in a child safety harness?

Booster seats do not come with a child safety harness. Booster seats are designed to be used with a lap/sash seatbelt. However, if your child is using a seating position fitted with a lap-only belt then they must use a child safety harness. 

What’s the difference between inbuilt harness and a child safety harness?

An inbuilt harness is made at the time of manufacture as part of the child restraint. It is suitable for children up to 18kg. There are no inbuilt harnesses available for children over 18kg.

A child safety harness is purchased separately. It is suitable for children that are between 18kg up to 32kg.

Does the booster seat have to be anchored?

If the booster seat comes with a tether strap it must be anchored. However, there are some booster seats that meet the Australian Standard (AS/NZS 1754) that do not need to be anchored in a vehicle.

Is it possible to fit three child restraints across the back seat of my car?

There is considerable variation in the types of child restraints and booster seats available. It will depend on the type chosen, as well as the combination of restraints required, and the make and model of your car.

Don’t forget - you will also need to find out whether there are enough anchorage points in your vehicle with which to fit the restraints. If you are unsure where the anchorage points are located in your vehicle, refer to the vehicle owner’s manual under the section of “Child Restraints” or “Child Restraint Anchorage Systems”.

If I can’t fit my three children in three restraints in the back, is it OK if one sits in the front?

Yes. If there are two child restraints or booster seats in the rear and there is not enough space to put a third restraint or booster in the rear seat then a passenger aged four to less than seven years can be in a booster seat in the front seat. You will need to use a booster seat that does not need to be anchored.

Can I still use the additional seat (dickie seat) that I have in the back of my station wagon?

Dickie seats will be permitted for use for children aged four and less than seven years provided the seat is suitable for children's height and weight and a lap sash seatbelt or seatbelt with a child safety harness is used.

Can I use an integrated booster cushion/seat? 

An integrated (or integral) booster cushion is forward facing and is built into some vehicles by the vehicle manufacturer. The occupant minimum and maximum weight restrictions for integrated booster cushions are specified in the vehicle owner’s manual.

An integrated booster cushion is considered to be an Approved Booster Seat under the Victorian Road Rules (effective 9 November 2009) and is therefore able to be used by a child aged 4 to under 7 years.

For children aged 7 years and over, it is recommended that the child continues to use the integrated booster cushion until they reach the maximum weight restriction as specified in the vehicle owner’s manual.

Note - the integrated booster cushion must comply with clause 34.8 of the Australian Design Rule 34/01 - Child Restraint Anchorages and Child Restraint Anchor Fittings to be permitted for use in Victoria. Please refer to your vehicle owner's manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer to identify if your integrated booster cushion meets these requirements.
 
Can a restraint go in the front seat of van or utility?

  • It is legal to fit a child restraint in the front of a utility or van provided there is a seatbelt and a child restraint anchorage point available.
  • Restraint fitting stations can install a variety of devices that can ensure the safe operation of restraints in these sorts of vehicles.
  • If there is a passenger airbag in the seating position occupied by a child using a car seat, it is recommended that the seat be moved as far back as possible while still allowing correct seatbelt fit.
  • If there is a passenger airbag in the seating position occupied by the child, you must not use a rearward facing infant restraint.


Do we need a child restraint in a taxi?

By law, taxi drivers do not have to provide child restraints or booster seats. However, they must ensure there is at least one anchor fi tting ready for passengers who wish to supply their own. If you can, take your child’s restraint with you.

  • Children under 1 year do not have to use a child restraint, but they must travel in the back seat.
  • Children over 1 year should be seated in their own seating position in a taxi, with their own properly fastened seatbelt if no suitable child restraint or booster seat is available in the taxi.

Our child keeps getting out of his/her restraint. What can we do?

  • Always wear your own seatbelt, so your child will also expect to be restrained.
  • On long trips plan plenty of stops for children to stretch their legs.
  • Check that your child’s restraint is properly worn and comfortable before you start.
  • Be firm about restraint wearing even if your child resists. Your child’s safety is your responsibility.
  • There are securing devices. To discuss the options, call the Child Safety Shop, Royal Children’s Hospital, (03) 9345 5036.


Can we use a child restraint from overseas or use a second-hand restraint?

  • All child restraints must meet the requirements of the Australian Standard: AS 1754.
  • Restraints that meet overseas standards generally do not comply with the Australian Standard for child restraints.
  • Be aware that older restraints may be missing some parts, may be incompatible with newer vehicles, or could cause injury in a crash.
  • If there is no instruction manual for the child restraint, a Restraint Fitting Station can advise or fit the restraint for you.


What if a restraint is involved in a crash?

  • Do not use a restraint if it was being used when the car was involved in a serious crash (where someone was injured or the vehicle was written off).
  • The restraint should be destroyed and not resold or given away.


Must children wear seatbelts on school buses?

  • If the bus has seatbelts, they must be used.
  • Only one seatbelt must be used per person.


More information
For detailed information about selecting and fitting child restraints see:



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More information and services
Choosing and using child restraints and booster seats [PDF, 1,203KB, 30 pp]