Choosing and installing a child restraint
Child restraints sold in Australia have been tested to meet strict standards.
Which child car seat is the safest?
When buying a child car seat, look for the Australian Standards '5 tick' sticker on it to make sure it meets the standard.
If you purchase a car seat online or overseas, it will not have been tested to comply with the Australian Standard and may not be safe for use in Australian conditions. It is not legal to use a child car seat in Australia that does not meet the Australian Standards.
Compare child car seat safety ratings
In addition to the Australian standards, there are several child car seats which have been further tested by the Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP).
CREP tests child restraints and gives them a safety score out of 5 stars. The rating is based on how well the child car seat or booster seat will protect your child in a crash and how easy they are to use.
CERP provides independent information and is supported by Australian government agencies and motorist organisations. The testing completed by CREP is to a higher standard than the current Australian Standard for safety, which means that a restraint that achieves just a 1-star rating under the CREP would be considered a very safe product.
Find and compare child car seats.
Buying a secondhand child car seat
If you’re thinking of buying or borrowing a secondhand child car seat or restraint, make sure it:
- meets the Australian Standard
- has not been in a serious crash
- is not more than 10 years old
- has no splits, cracks or stress marks on its shell
- does not have frayed, worn or damaged straps
- has buckles that work properly.
How to install and adjust child car seats
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you are fitting a child restraint, child car seat or booster seat to your vehicle.
If the child restraint is not installed or adjusted properly, your child might be at a higher risk of serious injury or death in a crash.
If possible, try the child restraint in your vehicle before you buy it. Some child car seats may be difficult to fit in smaller vehicles or in vehicles with contouring seats.
Child restraint fitting stations
Restraint fitting stations are available throughout Victoria.
Trained child restraint fitters can help you fit your child car seat or restraint, check that it is installed correctly, or fit an anchorage point to your vehicle if you need one.
Make sure you get the restraint fitter to show you how to fit the child restraint. This will help you if need to move the child restraint to another vehicle.
You can find a list of child restraint fitting stations:
- on the RACV website
- on the KidSafe Victoria website
- through the Australian Child Restraint Resource Initiative (ACRI).