baby car seat behind driver or passenger australia

Short answer: behind the passenger is usually best in Australia, because kerbside loading means you’re not flinging doors into traffic like a stunt driver.

The absolute safest spot is the middle rear—if your car has an approved anchorage there and the restraint fits rock-solid; if not, an outboard position is perfectly fine.

Behind the driver works too, but tall drivers and rear-facing capsules can feud over legroom, and the driver shouldn’t be hunched forward like a question mark.

Legally, children under 4 must not ride in the front seat if the vehicle has two or more rows, and no child should sit in front of an active airbag—ever.

Install per the manual, use the top-tether with ISOFIX or a seatbelt as specified, and keep them rear-facing as long as your Australian Standard seat allows.

If in doubt, get an authorised fitter to check your install and enjoy the blissful silence of a restraint that doesn’t wobble.