Children under 4 years of age must travel only in the rear row of a motor vehicle. If your car does not have a rear row, this part of the road rule does not apply.
Children grow at different rates between the age of 6 months and 4 years, so a child may use EITHER a rearward facing child restraint OR a forward facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness.
Because rearward facing travel is safer, you should only move your children to a forward facing child restraint when they have reached the weight or length limit, or upper shoulder height marker of their rearward facing child restraint. Just because a child has turned 6 months does not mean the child is ready to travel in a forward facing child restraint.
A rearward facing child restraint with inbuilt harness
A forward facing child restraint with inbuilt harness
There are different types of forward facing child restraints available. Forward facing child restraints complying with the 1991, 1995, 2000 or 2004 versions of the child restraint standard (AS/NZS 1754) have a weight limit of 18 kg. Forward facing child restraints complying with the 2010 version of AS/NZS 1754 do not have a weight limit, instead approximate age and shoulder height markers are used to guide selection.
Some rearward facing child restraints can be turned around to use as a forward facing child restraint when the child is around 6 months to 12 months. There are also some forward facing child restraints that convert to a booster seat by removing the inbuilt harness.
When choosing a forward facing child restraint:
- check that the restraint meets the Australian Standard for child restraints (AS/NZS 1754) by finding the Standards sticker on the restraint
- choose the safest restraint for your child. Visit the Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP) website
- make sure the restraint is the right size for your child
- check that the restraint is no more than ten 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 or showing stress marks, buckle is working properly).
The VicRoads restraint product tables list the approved child restraints and approved booster seats available to purchase.
Each forward facing child restraint must be held in place by the seatbelt and the top tether strap, and must have an inbuilt harness.
The inbuilt harness straps should be fitted with the shoulder straps coming from the pair of slots that are just above the shoulders. The inbuilt harness straps can be up to 25mm below the shoulders. If the straps are below this level they must be adjusted to a higher slot in the restraint.
When your child has outgrown the highest slot you will need to assess their restraint needs. They will move into a larger forward facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness OR a booster seat. This will depend on your child’s size.Restraints with shoulder height markers
The restraint is suitable for use by children whose shoulders are above the lower shoulder height marker and until the child’s shoulders reach the upper shoulder height marker.
Choose and use the right restraint
Rearward facing child restraints
Booster seats
Adult seatbelts
Child safety harnesses
Frequently asked questions