Australian Standard 2010
The Release of AS/NZ 1754:2010; was the first update since the creation of the Australian Car Seat Standard in 2004 titled AS/NZ 1754L2004. The 2004 edition of the Australian Standard was an age/ weight based standard. This has many problems associated with it; for starters each child grows at a different rate; and weight is not a good indicator or core strength and stable neck muscles.
This is where the 2010 standard moves away from the age/weight based system; and introduces the torso length measurement / should height measurement. This is smiliar to the i-size introduced in 2013 for the European standards.
Issues with 2010 Aus Car Seat Standard
The 2010 Australia Standard have a number of issues inherent in them; namely there is no minimum height; from the top of the seat for the shoulder height marker to exit the seat. This means than that cheaper seats; will have the exit shoulder height marker only several cm from the top of the seat; causing the head to be un-protected in the event of an accident.
A second issue; is that there is no maximum height for shoulder height marker; such that; some manufacturers claim to have the tallest booster seat. The 2013 standard sets limits so everyone is on a level playing field. Unfortunately many parents; still coverse with the age/weight limits and not the shoulder height markers.
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Australian Standard 2013
On the 19 September 2014; the Australian Car Seat Standard AS 1754:2013 was signed in, and became the new mandatory standard; which seats must coply to. This new australian car seat standard; introduced a number of new categories of child restraints; which included A4 (extended rear facing), G ( extended harnessing) and Isofix as an attachment / installation method.
The Following is the extract from the new 2013 Australian car seat Standard
…..the new Type A4 has been introduced that is suitable for rear facing children from birth to approximately 30 months. This new child restraint designation will have accommodation for a TNO P3 dummy as well requirement dynamic testing using a TNO P3 dummy. Thus the sizing and performance of this new restraint is equivalent to European Group 1 child restraints that offer rearward facing for older children.
Due to problems with booster seats and families placing small children into a booster seat. a new classification TYPE G has been introduced with the note.
….Introduction of requirements for child restraints with in-built harnesses for children ujp to 8 years of age, known as Type G, which are similar to the Type B requirements but cater for older children. As the load on the child restraint anchorage fitting may be too high the requirements include a limit on the dynamic test loads on the child restraint’s top tether strap to avoid overloading the vehicle child restraint anchorage.
The Shoulder height markers have been updated with the following Note
Minor revisions to the shoulder height marker system have been included with revised minimum heights for transition markers of combination Type A and Type B child restraints with the intent to have the occupant face rearward longer. In addition there is a revision to the height of the lower shoulder height marker for child restraints utilizing Type E and Type F designation. The lower height markers for Type B, Type D, Type E, Type F and the combination of these designations now have a requirement the position of these lower markers to be located on the child restraint with a tolerance of 10mm. The positioning of other height markers has been refined to limit how high the markers can be located. Other minor changes have been made to the wording on one of the height marker labels.
Shoulder Height Markers
- A2 min height marker 35 cm
- A2 nominal height marker 37cm
- A4 Max shoulder height marker 39 cm
- Forward Facing Type B Max exit marker 43 cm normally combined with A2 or A4
- Extended harnessing Type G Max Shoulder height Marker 51 cm
- Booster Type E Entry Marker 38 to 45 cm
- Type E exit shoulder height marker 50 to 52 cm
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Type A Car Seat / Child Restraint
The A type Child restraint is a restraint which is intended for newborns and child who cannot sit up without assistance and the restraint has built-in 6 point harness, where the child faces the rear of the car. The Law stipulates that children must be rear facing until they are at least 6 months, however many parents feel 6 months is too young to forward face and keep their children with extended rear facing car seats (crash tested for and average 30 month child). The avergae time car keep children rear facing is roughly 18 months.
The A type child restraint is further divided into 3 seperate categories these are A1, A2 and A4 type baby car seats.
Additionally an A type baby car seat can be a Baby Capsule / Carrier (Only Rear facing) or a convertible car seat (changes from rear facing to forward facing)
Type A1 for children up to 70cm tall (approx 6-9 months)
The A1 type baby car seat is always a Baby capsule / baby carrier. All Child restraints manufactured after the approval of the 2010 Australian Standards has height markers, prior to this the seats are weight based.
Call 0420 516 587 for your Type A Child restraint installation.
Some Restraints have been Designed with premmies in mind and have and extra low harness position and usually 2 buckle positions.
The advantage of the Baby Capsule / A1 Baby Carseat is that it can be taken in and out of the car by clipping and un-clipping the baby capsule from the base, plus with the appropriate adapters it can easily clip onto your pram, all without disturbing your babies sleep.
examples of an A1 type capsule include
Baby Car Seat fitting in Mentone is just a phone call away to get you child restraint fitted by an
ACRI Accredited Professional Child restraint technician
. Call 0420 516 587For Your baby Capsule Hire and baby capsule installation CALL 0420 516 587.
Type A2 for children up to 80cm tall (approx 12 months), and a new category Type A4, for children up to 2-3 years of age.
The A2 type baby car seat can also a Baby capsule / baby carrier but also a A2/B convertible car seat. As a rule of thumb, Baby capsules are generally not A2 as the weight of the baby plus capsule is simple too heavy for many parents to lift; in and out of the car. Example of an A2 Capsule is the Britax Unity Capsule.
Call 0420 516 587 for your A2 Child restraint installation.
Generally most convertible child restraints have a lot of padding to take into account smaller babies and premmies. This padding is usually removed once the babies get close to the first height marker.
The advantage of the Baby Capsule / A1 Baby Carseat is that it can be taken in and out of the car by clipping and un-clipping the baby capsule from the base, plus with the appropriate adapters it can easily clip onto your pram, all without disturbing your babies sleep
examples of an A2 type baby car seat include, the Infa Secure Luxi (type A/B/E – lasts till 8 years of age), The Britax Millenia, and the Britax BFrist.
It should be noted that Most Safe n Sound / Britax A2/B car seats have been upgrade to an A4 type Child restraint, with the introduction of the 2013 australian car seat standard.
Baby Car Seat fitting in Mentone is just a phone call away to get you child restraint fitted by an
ACRI Accredited Professional Child restraint technician
. Call 0420 516 587For Your convertible child restraint installation CALL 0420 516 587.
Type A4 is a new category introduced in September 2014 with the new Australian Standards, for children up to 2-3 years (30 months) of age.
The A4 type baby car seat can be am A4/B convertible car seat or and A4/G extended harnessing car seat. The A4 extended rear facing car seat / restraint has three height markers. The First height marker indicates the minimum height a child must be before they can be forward facing, but can kept rear facing in an A4. The Second height marker is where you must turn your child around to forward facing position (average 30 months of age).
Call 0420 516 587 for your A4 Baby Car Seat installation.
Generally most convertible child restraints have a lot of padding to take into account smaller babies and premmies. This padding is usually removed once the babies get close to the first height marker.
At the time of writing, Maxi Cosi had released their A4 child restraint without being certified from SAI GLOBAL and all Maxi Cosi Seats had to be recalled.
examples of an A4 baby car seat include, The Britax Millenia, Britax Bfirst, and the infa Secure Quattro.
A4 Car Seat fitting in Mentone is just a phone call away to get you child restraint fitted by an
ACRI A4 Accredited Professional Child restraint technician
. Call 0420 516 587Type B Car Seat / Child Restraint
For children who have outgrown their rear facing restraint; up until at least 4 years of age, with a built-in 6 point harness where the child faces the front of the car. Type B in the Australian Standard.
NB. Forward Facing restraints, Type B, fit most children up to at least 4 years of age. A new forward-facing restraint with an inbuilt harness, Type G, is now available which can be used up to approximately 8 years of age.
There is only one car seat for infants that is defined as only a B type child restraint such as the maxi cosi complete air (now no longer manufactured).
It is important to recognise that the Type B child restraint; is a forward facing child restraint; and you should not face your child forward before they are strong enough.
In most cases; the type B child restraint with also be a type A child restraint making the convertible car seat a type A2/B or A4/B restraint. Two of the most popular A/B child restraints are the Maxi Cosi Hera and the Maxi Cosi Euro, these car seats were recalled in 2015 due to a number of issues, of primary concerns was that Maxi Cosi tried to portray the number of faulty cases was limited and finally admitted there was a fault with the cover design, read more about the maxi cosi recall online.
Examples of Type A/B car seats include the Britax Millenia, Britax Bfirst, the Infa Kompressor and Luxi.
Type E Car Seat / Child Restraint
For children who have outgrown their forward facing restraint up to at least 8-10 years of age, to position the lap and sash belts safely. Use of an add-on harness is not recommended. Type E in the Australian Standard.
Booster Cushions are boosters without the back and side wings that protect the child’s head. They are no longer sold in stores and it is not recommended to use booster cushions as they do not provide any side protection or back support. In cars such as the volvo xc60 and xc90; the Booster cushions can still be used.
Boosters seats come in two flavours; Tethered and Un-Tethered. Tethering refers to the booster seat having an upper tether strap connected to an anchor point.
Untethered booster seats are recommended only for occasional use and are intended for grandparents / carers who do not normally have the children in their car. It should be noted it is better to use a un-tethered booster than a Booster cushion.
Type G Car Seat / Child Restraint
The G Type Child restraint was introduced into the Australian Car Seat Standards in September 2014. The restraint is a forward facing car seat from 6 months of age to approximately 8 years of age.
As with all forward facing child restraints; you should not turn your child from rear facing to forward facing until they are of the correct height to turn around.
The G type car seat is a safer alternative to any type of booster seat; as your child will be using the internal harness from 6 months to 8 years of age. With the type G car seat; you do not need to worry about your child being too short for a booster seat. One of the biggest problems with booster seats; is that parents may move their children into the booster seat too early. A consequence of moving a child into a booster too early; is the sash part of the seat belt; may come into close contact with the neck.
Examples of the type G car seat, include the Britax Maxi Guard, the Infa Secure Emerge, and the Babylove EZYgrow.
ISOFIX type Car seats
With the instroduction of the 2013 standard Isofix is introduced. ISOFIX is a installation method; that connects your carseat directly to a purposely built 6mm bar located in your rear seat.
ISOFIX compatible child restraints are available in Type, A and combination A/B only. Isofix carseat will have a top tether strap; and must be capable of being installed using either seat belt installation or ISOFIX compatible installation.
Read out FAQ about understanding isofix and is isofix safer.
Important Note: legally you will not be able to use an overseas ISOFIX restraint here in Australia. They do not meet Australian Safety Standards.
