Australian law requires children to use a booster seat until they are at least 7 years old and 145 cm tall. Safety experts recommend waiting until 150 cm for optimal safety.
Parents spend a lot of time figuring out the right moment to move a child out of a booster seat. Too early, and the seat belt won’t protect; too late, and the child may be uncomfortable or even put the vehicle’s safety systems at risk. Below you’ll find the legal rules in Australia, practical safety tips, and clear signs that say “I’m ready”.
Booster seat is a child‑car‑seat accessory that raises a child so a standard three‑point seat belt fits correctly is governed by the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and each state’s road‑safety legislation. The core rule across all states reads:
These numbers come from the Australian law which mandates minimum safety standards for child restraints. Violating the rule can lead to fines ranging from AUD200 to AUD600, plus demerit points in some states.
Legal thresholds are a baseline. Crash‑test data from the Global NCAP shows that children under 150cm are still at higher risk of injury if the belt rides too high on the chest. Here’s what safety experts advise:
These extra steps add a safety margin that can reduce injury severity by up to 30% in frontal crashes, according to a 2023 Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report.
A simple “belt‑fit test” helps you decide:
If any of these checks fail, stay in the booster a little longer. Remember, the goal isn’t just meeting age or height - it’s ensuring the three‑point belt works as designed.
Not all boosters are created equal. When buying, look for these attributes:
Feature | High‑Back Booster | Backless Booster |
---|---|---|
Side‑Impact Protection | Integrated headrest and side wings | None - relies on vehicle headrest |
Installation | Seat belt‑only or LATCH (if vehicle supports) | Seat belt‑only |
Weight Range | 15kg-36kg | 15kg-36kg |
Adjustability | Multiple recline positions, headrest height | Fixed height, no recline |
Installation steps (same for most models):
A quick “wiggle test” - give the booster a firm shake - should reveal any movement. If it slides, re‑tighten the belt or try a different anchor point.
Even seasoned parents slip up. Here are the most frequent errors and how to fix them:
Staying in a booster past the safe height range can cause:
In a 2022 NSW crash analysis, children over 150cm who were still in boosters suffered 2‑3 times higher chest injuries than those who had switched to seat belts.
Yes. Australian law requires both the age AND the height threshold. Stay in the booster until your child reaches 145cm, even if they are already 7.
A backless booster relies on the car’s headrest for side‑impact protection. If the vehicle’s headrest is low or absent, a high‑back booster is safer.
Child car seats have built‑in harnesses and are used for infants and toddlers. Boosters only raise the child so a standard three‑point seat belt fits correctly.
Only if the vehicle’s passenger‑side airbag can be permanently deactivated. Otherwise, the front seat is unsafe for a child in a booster.
Check every month and whenever your child gains a few centimeters. Re‑run the belt‑fit test each time you notice growth.
Bottom line: the legal cutoff is 7years and 145cm, but the safest moment to switch is when the belt sits low on the thighs, the shoulder belt rests across the shoulder, and the child’s head is comfortably behind the vehicle’s headrest - typically around 150cm. Keep an eye on growth, run the simple fit checks, and you’ll know exactly when the booster seat can be retired.