By the time they’re one year old, lots of babies have outgrown their car seat inserts. However, age is not all there is to it. Your child’s size says a lot more. Your baby’s shoulders give the real answer. Ready to shop? Browse the toddler car seat australia range at The Memo. Every seat sold in Australia must meet the AS/NZS 1754 standard. The law is simple too. Babies less than six months old sit rear-facingly. Once past this point, children may face either direction – back or front – till they are four years old. Little toddlers really do develop quite quickly indeed – timing is therefore all important! This guide covers age, size, seat types and quick checks.
What Does Australian Law Say About Toddler Car Seats?
The law determines a minimum – and it’s quite straightforward really. All children under seven years old have to sit in an approved seat. Each stage has its own rule. Kidsafe goes one step further. It says to hold your child in every seat until they’ve surpassed its height and weight restrictions. Use the law as your point of departure – rather than your endpoint.
| Stage | Age by law | Seat type |
|---|---|---|
| Baby | Birth to 6 months | Rear-facing capsule or seat |
| Toddler | 6 months to 4 years | Rear or forward-facing, built-in harness |
| Child | 4 to 7 years | Forward-facing harness or booster |
| Big kid | 7 years and over | Booster until the seatbelt fits, around 145 cm |
Look at the shoulder markers first. When your baby’s shoulders reach over the highest point on the infant seat, it’s time for an upgrade. Also check out the maximum height and weight restrictions listed on the packaging itself. Many parents switch at 6 months because the law allows it. A later switch is usually the better call.
Choose rear-facing if your child still fits. That’s really the safer option – and Kidsafe agrees completely. Lots of convertible car seats begin rear-facing and then switch to forward-facing at a later time. One purchase covers both stages. Here is what to look for:
- A clear AS/NZS 1754 label
- A built-in 5-point harness
- A top tether strap for forward-facing use
- Shoulder height markers you can read at a glance
- Height and weight limits that grow with your child
- A snug fit in your back seat
How Do You Fit a Toddler Seat Correctly?
First, read your manual carefully – each vehicle and car seat combination has its own specific requirements. Attach the top tether to forward-facing seats. Make sure the harness straps lie flatly and very tightly against the body – there should be no looseness around the collarbone area. The position of rear-facing straps is either on or below the shoulder level. Conversely, those for forward-facing positions are placed above it. Not sure about your install? Authorised restraint fitting stations check seats for you. Check the harness again every few weeks as your toddler grows taller. Replace any seat after a crash. Kidsafe NSW also says to retire seats older than 10 years.
