NSW Regulation on Child Restraints
0-6 MONTHS
Children under 6 months must be restrained in an approved rearward-facing restraint. The restraint is held in place by either the seatbelt or Isofix and the top tether strap. The restraint incorporates an inbuilt six point harness system. There are some convertible forward-facing restraints that can accommodate babies from birth in rearward-facing mode and can then be converted to forward-facing when the child is around 6 to 12 months of age. All restraints have weight or height ratings. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions prior to rotating your restraint.
6 MONTHS - 4 YEARS
Children aged between 6 months and 4 years must be restrained in an approved rearward or forward-facing restraint. Once your child has outgrown their rearward-facing restraint (this usually happens from around 6 to 12 months of age) they can be moved into a forward-facing restraint. The forward-facing restraint is held in place by either the seatbelt or Isofix and the top tether strap and incorporates a six-point harness. There are some restraints that combine the features of forward-facing restraints for young children and booster seats for older children.
4 - 7 YEARS
Children aged between 4 years and 7 years must be restrained in an approved forward-facing restraint or booster seat. Booster seats are used with an adult lap-sash seatbelt and feature high backs and sides which provide protection for children in side impact crashes as well as providing support when a child is sleeping. Booster seats must never be used with a lap-only belt. A booster seat should be used until your child’s shoulders no longer comfortably fit within the booster seat or when their eye-level is higher than the back of the booster seat.
7 YEARS +
Finally, from 7 years of age, children can travel in a car secured in either a booster seat or the car’s adult seat belt if they reach the minimum height requirement of 145cm and can sit in an adult seat safely. Perform the 5 step test to make sure!