child seat laws vic Page 4

In Victoria, child seat laws follow national rules with a few specifics—here’s the short, no‑nonsense version. Children under 6 months must use an approved rear‑facing restraint, in the back seat if the vehicle has more than one row. From 6 months to under 4 years, they must be in an approved rear‑ or forward‑facing restraint with an inbuilt harness, and they cannot sit in the front if there’s more than one row. From 4 to under 7, use an approved forward‑facing restraint with inbuilt harness or a booster with a properly fastened seatbelt or child safety harness, and they must be in the back unless all rear seats are occupied by under‑7s. Aged 7 and over can use a properly adjusted adult seatbelt, though a booster is recommended until they pass the “five‑step” test. In single‑row vehicles, an appropriate restraint may be used in the front, but never place a rear‑facing seat in front of an active airbag; fines and demerit points await the careless.