Child Restraint Laws NSW

On the first of March, 2010, National Child Restraint Laws were introduced into NSW with a transition period of 3 months giving parents the opportunity to familiarise and meet the requirements of the new regulations.

In short, ALL children 7 years or younger must be seated in the correct safety restraint. Research clearly shows that children securely seated in an approved safety restraint are less likely to receive any injuries or be killed in a car accident when compared to a child that is not.

The driver of the vehicle is the person who’s responsible for making sure all children under 7 travelling in the vehicle must be properly restrained with an Australian standards approved restraint. If the driver has neglected their responsibilities they can face a fine of $253 and the loss of 3 demerit points (6 points in double demerit times) for each child that isn’t restrained properly or completely unrestrained.

• A rearward facing restraint must be used for children younger than 6 months old.
• A rear or forward facing restraint must be used for children between 6 months and 4 years old.
• A forward facing restraint or booster seat must be used for children between 4 and 7 years old.
• If an occupant of the vehicle is 4 years or younger they are unable to sit in the front passenger seat if there is two or more rows.
• An occupant between 4 and 7 years old can only travel in the front passenger seat of a vehicle with two or more rows if the other seats are taken by other children aged 7 or younger.

To be sure you’ve done everything possible to keep your child safe, make sure you have your child restraint fitted by an Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Station.