As children grow and develop, they vary considerably in height and weight. For many children 4 years of age a forward facing child restraint will be the right size restraint. Children should always travel in a restraint suitable for their size.
With the introduction of booster seats with shoulder height markers for children aged approximately 4 years to 6 to 8 years, children can now continue to travel in a restraint that is suitable for their size for longer.
Children travelling in a booster seat should continue using the booster seat until they have outgrown it. An adult lap-sash seatbelt is designed for people with a minimum height of 145 cm.
When choosing a booster seat:
- Check that the booster seat meets the Australian Standard for child restraints (AS/NZS 1754) by finding the Standards sticker on the restraint.
- Check the booster seat has an anti-submarining feature. This is a device which holds the lap part of the seatbelt down low on the child's hip, to stop them from sliding under the seatbelt in a crash.
A booster seat with an anti-submarining feature.
- choose the safest booster seat for your child. Visit the Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP) website
- make sure the booster seat is the right size for your child
- check that the booster seat is no more than ten years old and has never been involved in a serious crash and is in good condition
- choose a booster seat with an expandable headrest as this type of booster seat can be easily adjusted as your child grows
- booster cushions (with no seat back) are not recommended as they provide no protection in a side impact crash. Booster cushions have been deleted from the 2010 child restraint standard and will no longer be manufactured.
The VicRoads restraint product tables list the approved child restraints and approved booster seats available to purchase.
Some booster seats have a top tether strap. If there is a top tether strap it must always be used.
Examples of tether straps
Booster seats are held in place by the child’s own body and the vehicles lap-sash seatbelt. A child can be injured in a crash if the seatbelt is not properly adjusted.
Safety tips:
- Check that the sash part of the seatbelt crosses the child's shoulder and does not touch the child’s neck. Use the sash guide on the booster seat to prevent this.
- Booster seats must never be used with a lap-only seatbelt. If the seating position has a lap-only seatbelt, you must use a child safety harness to hold the child’s upper body back.
- Remember, children travelling in a booster seat should continue using the booster seat until they have outgrown it. An adult lap-sash seatbelt is designed for people with a minimum height of 145 cm.
Choose and use the right restraint
Rearward facing child restraints
Forward facing child restraints
Adult seatbelts
Child safety harnesses
Frequently asked questions