Car seat rules in Australia, and when to change seats

The national rules by age, and how to know your child is ready for the next seat.

Health & safety · 3 min read · Updated November 2026

Under 6 months

Babies must travel in a rearward-facing restraint. Many seats let children stay rearward facing for longer, which is safer.

6 months to 4 years

Children must use a rearward-facing or forward-facing restraint with an inbuilt harness.

4 to 7 years

Children must use a forward-facing seat with an inbuilt harness, or a booster seat with a properly adjusted seatbelt or child safety harness.

Move by height, not age

Use the shoulder height markers on the seat to decide when to move up. Only buy seats that meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754, and have them fitted or checked by a trained restraint fitter.

General information only, checked against Australian government and peak-body sources. Talk to your GP, midwife or child health nurse about your situation.

More in Health & safety

Health & safetySafe sleep: the guidelines in plain EnglishSix simple steps that lower the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy.Health & safetyIntroducing allergy foods to your babyWhen and how to offer peanut, egg and other common allergy foods.Health & safetyFever in babies and children: when to see a doctorWhat counts as a fever, when it is urgent and how to keep your child comfortable.Health & safetySun safety for kids in AustraliaSlip, slop, slap, seek and slide, and how to use the UV index.