Child car seat rules in Australia, by state
Which car seat your child needs at each age, and front seat rules in every state and territory.
In short
By law, children must ride in an approved child car seat that suits their age until they are at least 7. Seats must meet the Australian Standard.
Rules in each state and territory
Tap your state to see its rules.
South Australia
SA sets the type of seat by your child's age. Seats must meet the Australian Standard.
What you need to know
- Under 6 months: approved rearward-facing infant restraint
- 6 months to 4 years: rearward-facing, or forward-facing with a built-in harness
- 4 to 7 years: forward-facing with harness, or a booster with a lap-sash belt
- 7 to 16 years: approved restraint or a properly fitted seatbelt
- Children under 4 must not ride in the front of a vehicle with two or more rows
The page doesn't say whether seats bought overseas are accepted. Ask Service SA on 13 23 24. Fines and demerit points apply.
Last checked 8 Oct 2026.
New South Wales
NSW sets the type of car seat by your child's age.
What you need to know
- Under 6 months: an approved rearward-facing child car seat
- 6 months to under 4 years: rearward-facing, or forward-facing with an inbuilt harness
- 4 to under 7 years: forward-facing with an inbuilt harness, or an approved booster seat
- Children under 4 must not sit in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows
- Children aged 4 to under 7 can only sit in the front if all the back seats are taken by younger children in approved seats
- 7 and over: a booster seat is advised until the child is big enough for a seatbelt. The suggested minimum height is 145 cm
The page does not say whether seats bought overseas are accepted. Taxis and rideshare have their own rules.
Child car seats (NSW Government) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Victoria
Victoria sets the type of car seat by your child's age.
What you need to know
- Under 6 months: an approved rearward-facing child restraint
- Older babies and children under 4: rearward-facing or forward-facing, depending on their size
- 4 to under 7 years: forward-facing with an inbuilt harness, or an approved booster seat
- 7 to under 16 years: an approved booster seat or an adult seatbelt
- Children under 4 must not sit in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows
- Children aged 4 to under 7 can only sit in the front, in a booster seat, if all the back seats are taken by children under 7
The pages read do not say whether seats bought overseas are accepted.
Child car seat and restraint road rules (Transport Victoria) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Queensland
Queensland sets the type of car seat by your child's age.
What you need to know
- Up to 6 months: an approved rear-facing restraint
- 6 months to 4 years: rear-facing, or forward-facing with a built-in harness
- 4 to 7 years: forward-facing with a built-in harness, or an approved booster seat with a lap-sash seatbelt
- 7 and over: a standard seat with an adult seatbelt, or an approved booster seat
- Children up to 4 must not sit in the front seat of a vehicle with more than one row
- Children aged 4 to 6 can only sit in the front if all other seats are taken by children under 7
The pages read do not say whether seats bought overseas are accepted. Fines and demerit points apply.
Types of child restraints (Queensland Government) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Western Australia
WA sets the type of car seat by your child's age.
What you need to know
- Birth to 6 months: a rearward-facing capsule or convertible restraint
- 6 months to 4 years: rearward-facing, or forward-facing with a five-point internal harness
- 4 to 7 years: forward-facing with a five-point internal harness, or a booster seat with a lap and sash seatbelt
- 7 and over: stay in a suitable child restraint until big enough to wear an adult seatbelt properly
- Children under 4 must not sit in the front row of a vehicle with two or more rows
- Children aged 4 to under 7 can only sit in the front if all the rear seats are filled with passengers under 7
The pages read do not say whether seats bought overseas are accepted.
Parents and carers (WA Road Safety Commission) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Tasmania
Tasmania sets the type of car seat by your child's age.
What you need to know
- Under 6 months: a rear-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness
- 6 months up to 4 years: a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness
- 4 up to 7 years: forward-facing with an inbuilt harness, or a booster seat with a properly fastened seatbelt
- 7 and over: Tasmania advises a booster seat until the child is tall enough for an adult seatbelt
- Children under 4 can only sit in the front if the car has no back seat or the back seat is full of younger children
The pages read do not say whether seats bought overseas are accepted. Fines and demerit points apply.
Child restraints: a guide to car seats (Tasmanian Government) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT sets the type of car seat by your child's age.
What you need to know
- Under 6 months: an approved rearward-facing child car seat
- 6 months to under 4 years: rearward-facing, or forward-facing with an inbuilt harness
- 4 to under 7 years: forward-facing with an inbuilt harness, or an approved booster seat
- 7 and over: keep using a child restraint suited to their size. The suggested minimum height for an adult seatbelt is 145 cm
- Children under 4 must not sit in the front row of a vehicle with two or more rows
- Children aged 4 to under 7 can only sit in the front if all other seats are taken by passengers under 7
- Children under 7 must not travel in the front seat of a taxi
The pages read do not say whether seats bought overseas are accepted.
Seatbelts and child restraints (ACT City Services) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.
Northern Territory
The NT sets the type of car seat by your child's age.
What you need to know
- Birth to under 6 months: a rear-facing restraint, such as a baby capsule
- 6 months to under 4 years: a rear-facing or forward-facing restraint
- 4 to under 7 years: a forward-facing restraint or a booster seat
- 7 and over: an adult seatbelt or a booster seat
- Children under 4 must not sit in the front row of a vehicle with two or more rows
- Children aged 4 to under 7 can only sit in the front when all other seats are taken by younger children
The pages read do not say whether seats bought overseas are accepted. Fines and demerit points apply.
Children and road safety (Road Safety NT) ↗
Last checked 12 Oct 2026.