car seat requirements victoria

In Victoria, child car seat rules are straightforward: match the kid to the restraint, not the other way around.

Under 6 months: rearward-facing only. From 6 months to under 4 years: rearward- or forward-facing with an inbuilt harness. From 4 to under 7: a forward-facing seat with harness or a booster used with a properly adjusted seatbelt.

Children under 4 can’t sit in the front seat if the car has two or more rows; those aged 4–7 may only sit up front if all other seats are taken by under-7s. From 7 and up, an adult seatbelt is permitted if it fits correctly (a booster is still wise until they pass the five-step fit test). All restraints must comply with AS/NZS 1754 and be correctly installed and tethered—because physics doesn’t negotiate.