VSI 17 - Summary of child restraint anchorages
This page outlines the minimum standards requirements for child restraint anchorages.
Published: June 2021.
This page supersedes all previous copies of VSI 17.
This information sheet applies to vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonne or less. For heavy vehicle requirements please refer to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) website.
Introduction
This page is a guide to the regulations that apply to the fitting of child restraint anchorages in motor vehicles. The precise and detailed requirements are contained in the applicable Australian Design Rules (ADRs).
Anchorages fitted in accordance with these guidelines should provide an acceptable level of safety.
Passenger cars manufactured on or after 1 July 1976 were required to be fitted with child restraint anchorages complying with the applicable ADRs. This requirement has progressively been introduced to apply to most new passenger vehicles.
However, some people may wish to fit a child safety seat or bassinet restraint to an older car or other vehicle types which are not fitted with child restraint anchorages.
If any doubt exists about the strength or position of the anchorage you should contact a Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme (VASS) signatory or a restraint fitting station for guidance.
Anchorages may be fitted to most cars which don't already have complying anchorages by drilling an 8.5mm (5/16”) diameter hole through a suitable metal reinforced structure part of the parcel shelf and installing an anchorage bolt and reinforcing washers supplied by the child restraint manufacturer.
Anchorage fitting guidelines
The following guidelines together with any supplied by the child restraint or anchorage manufacturer must be followed.
The anchorage holes must be:
- within 40mm of the centre line of the seating position in which the restraint is being installed
- back from the rear edge of the seat squab at a distance which will ensure that the top tether strap of the child restraint can be correctly adjusted, (usually about 200mm) while also ensuring that the rear window does not interfere with the attachment and disengagement of the anchorage fitting to the anchorage bolt
- drilled through a metal reinforced structure section and be no less than 50mm from any punched out or perforated section of metal (eg. speaker holes), and
- drilled through a substantially flat section of metal so as to ensure that the reinforcing washer or plate is brought to bear closely on the underside of the parcel shelf.
If the anchorage is to be fitted to the floor pan of a vehicle without parcel shelves, such as station wagons or similar, further precautions as listed below are necessary. If any doubt exists, you should consult a VASS signatory.
- The bolt hole must be drilled through the fixed metal floor of the vehicle. Spare wheel covers, and timber or false metal floors aren't suitable.
- Care must be taken not to drill through the fuel tank, fuel lines, brake hoses or any other safety item.
- The anchorage should be located:
- so that the strap will be positioned at the shallowest angle possible generally at least 200mm to the rear of the back seat, and
- so that no part of the anchorage mounting located under the floor contact any components such as brake or fuel lines, hand brake cables or drive shafts.
- The strength of the seat back and any catches must be sufficient to withstand any loads imposed on them particularly those applied by the restraint tether strap in an impact.
- Adequate protection should be provided to prevent any load in the vehicle damaging the child restraint or its straps or causing injury to the vehicle occupants, particularly in an impact situation.
- Additional tie down arrangements or cargo barriers to secure heavy objects in vehicles such as station wagons or vans where the load space is not separate to the occupant space are strongly recommended.
- In some cases it may be necessary to use adaptor brackets to achieve a correct line of action between the restraint tether strap and the anchorage. Child restraint manufacturers generally provide a range of such accessories.
Child restraints in utilities and panel vans
Child restraints may be fitted to the front seat of utilities and panel vans. However, it's strongly recommended to avoid this wherever possible.
If possible an additional seat or suitable support frame to secure child restraints should be installed in these vehicles.
Most child restraints seats etc. require a seat belt directly in front on the anchorage to stabilise the restraint. Where a seatbelt isn't present adjacent to where a child restraint anchorage is to be fitted, a VASS signatory should be consulted.
Download a PDF of this page: VSI 17 - Summary of child restraint anchorages (PDF).