In Queensland, as in most Australian states, a child’s age and height are crucial factors for determining the applicable car seat laws and restraints. For example, children aged seven and below must be correctly fitted in an approved child car seat or child restraint. If it’s your first time, you may be unaware of various child restraint laws and the booster seat age. Let’s look at the car seat rules that help ensure child safety in Queensland vehicles.
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Car Seat Laws QLD
Under QLD car seat rules, the driver is accountable for the safety of all passengers, regardless of age, including vehicle seat belts and the appropriate use of child car seats and restraints. Proper use of car seats saves lives; and it is essential to ensure the safety of young passengers. Furthermore, failure to do this may incur substantial fines and demerit points. For example, a passenger over 16 can also be penalised for not wearing a seat belt, with both the passenger and driver being fined.
Speciality motor vehicles, such as vintage cars, may be excluded from these rules, so they may not be required to have seatbelts and child restraint anchor points. However, these motor vehicles can only carry appropriately restrained children.
Private-hire cars have the same laws as regular motor vehicles. Hiring companies will loan child restraints on request, but these restraints may require an extra fee.
For exemptions to the seat belt laws, view Section 267 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995.
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Child Restraint Rules
Although you would typically use a child’s age to determine the type of approved child restraint, their height may also be a factor.
Babies Under 6 Months Old
Babies younger than six months must be secured in a properly fastened and approved rear-facing restraint. They should travel with this restraint until they are no longer fit.
Children and Babies Between 6 months and 4 Years of Age
Children and babies between 6 months and 4 years old cannot sit in the front seat and must travel in a properly fastened and approved child restraint. They can be seated in a forward or rear-facing child restraint.
Children Between 4 and 7 Years of Age
- Children between 4 and 7 can sit in a forward-facing child restraint or forward-facing restraint that is properly adjusted and securely fastened.
- Or an approved booster anchored with an adult lap sash seatbelt
Children Age 7 and Older
- Children over seven years old can sit in a forward-facing seat using an adult seat belt or
- An approved booster seat secured with an adult lap sash seatbelt
Back Seat Requirement Age 12
In Queensland, children must sit in the back seat until they are at least 12 years old unless they are in a booster seat.
- Child restraints should not be used if they are older than ten years or have been involved in an accident.
- Queensland’s laws require child restraints to have an AS/NZS 1754 sticker, showing they meet strict safety standards.
Types of Child Restraints
In Queensland, several types of child restraints are designed to cater to different age groups and sizes, ensuring the utmost safety for young passengers. Here’s a breakdown of the main types:
- Rear-facing child restraints: are for babies under 6 months who must be secured in a properly fastened rear-facing restraint.
- Forward-facing child restraints: Children from 6 months to 4 years must travel in a properly fastened child restraint, either rear-facing or forward-facing, with a built-in harness.
- Booster seats: Designed for children from 4 to 7 years old, booster seats are used with an adult seatbelt to ensure the seatbelt fits correctly over the child’s body.
- Approved booster seats: These are also for children from 4 to 7 years old but are specifically secured with an adult lap-sash seatbelt for added safety.
Choosing a child restraint that meets the Australian Standard (AS) and is suitable for your child’s age and size is essential. Ensuring your child is in the correct restraint can significantly reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
NOTE: Your child’s risk of death or serious injury in a car crash can be increased if you transition them to the next restraint type too soon. We recommend waiting until they outgrow their existing restraint, regardless of age.
Approved Child Car Restraints
Approved Child restraints in Australia must carry the Australian Standards mark to ensure they have been manufactured according to Australian and New Zealand standards. Otherwise, they cannot be legally used.
All child restraints sold in Australia will have a date mark. If you cannot find the date mark, contact the manufacturer. We advise against the use of restraints that are more than ten years old.
You should not use child restraints purchased overseas unless they are AS/NZS 1754 compliant.
What is the Penalty for Failing to Use an Approved Child Restraint?
You risk a fine of $1,161 and four demerit points for each child who is not secured in an approved car restraint that is properly fastened and adjusted. If you commit a second or subsequent child restraint offence within a year of the initial offence, you will receive double demerit points.
Car Seat Fitting and Installation
Proper fitting and installing a child restraint is crucial to ensuring your child’s safety while travelling in a vehicle. Here are some essential tips to follow:
- Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions: Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for installation and use.
- Ensure the restraint is fastened correctly: The child restraint should be snugly adjusted to fit your child, preventing excessive movement.
- Locate the anchor points: Check your vehicle owner’s manual to find the anchor points where the restraint should be secured.
- Consider professional fitting: For added peace of mind, have Kidsafe or an RACQ Vehicle Inspection Station professionally fit or check the restraint.
- Avoid using damaged restraints: Never use a child restraint that has been damaged or is past its expiration date, as it may not provide adequate protection.
- Seat replacement: It is recommended that a child’s car seat be replaced every 10 years, regardless of its condition.
- Regular safety checks: To ensure a child’s car seat is safe, you should always inspect it for wear and tear.
Children in Front Seats
Children younger than seven must not sit in the front seat if a vehicle has two or more rows. However, even if the front passenger seat is the only one with a vehicle seatbelt, they may use it if all other seats are filled with kids their age or younger.
Once they are seven or older, kids can use an adult seatbelt or an approved booster seat with an adult seat belt to restrain them in the front seat.
QLD Car Seat Laws Height
In Queensland, it is recommended that a child use an approved booster seat until their height exceeds 145cm. On average, children reach this height at 11 years of age. Alternately, they can be seated in an approved child safety harness.
Do Booster Seats Need to Be Anchored QLD?
If you are using an approved booster seat (according to Australian standards), it must be secured with two anchor points.
- An adult lap sash seatbelt
- The top tether that connects with a child restraint anchor point
Sadly, a many Australians fail to install booster seats correctly, which puts their child at risk of serious injury.
When Can I Change From Booster Seats to Regular Car Seats
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads recommends the five-step test for deciding when to change your child from an approved booster seat to a regular car seat with an adult seatbelt. They can make this change when they pass these five questions:
- Can a child sit with 100% of their back against the car seat?
- Can a child’s knees safely hang over the edge of the vehicle seat?
- Is the lap belt sitting low, touching their thighs and across their hips?
- Does the sash belt cross the shoulder in the middle?
- Can your child stay seated in this manner until the end of your journey?
Uber Child Seat Policy QLD
Rules for Taxis, Uber and Rideshares
Taxis and rideshares like Uber are where the laws get more challenging. These vehicles are not required to supply child restraints or booster seats. However, they must have anchor points to secure these devices, which means you may need to take your car seat.
Can Uber Take Kids?
Children can ride in Ubers, taxis, and rideshare vehicles, but children 12 months and under should sit on the lap of someone aged 16 or over. They must not share the seatbelt. Meanwhile, children over 12 months old should be restrained with an adult seat belt if proper restraints are unavailable.
Bus Passenger Restraints
Buses are only required to have seatbelts if they have 13 or more rows. Buses with fewer than 13 rows must have seat belts and anchors for child restraints. If a larger bus has seatbelts, it should use them.
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Rules for Child Car Seats FAQs
What age do you go from a booster to a car seat?
A child can move from a booster to a car seat when their shoulders are higher than the car seat’s lower shoulder height indicator, which is usually 4 years of age.
At what age can children transition to an adult seatbelt?
The average age for a child to transition to an adult seatbelt is 11 or 12, depending on their height and maturity in passing the five-step test.
What is the booster seat height requirement?
Children should use an approved booster seat until they reach 145cm in height.
Can you take a baby in an Uber in Queensland?
Yes, you can take a baby in an Uber, but it’s recommended to use an approved child restraint for their age.
At what age can a child stop using a booster seat in Queensland?
Children can stop using a booster seat when they reach 145cm in height or are seven years old.
Can you take a baby in a taxi in Queensland?
Yes, babies can travel in Queensland taxis, but it is recommended that they use an approved child restraint for their age.