obogk

Hi
Searched the forum and not really come up with an answer , what sites I have looked on say Uk and US seat do not compile with Australian standard and cannot therefore be used. Is there anyone in Oz now - who had a Uk seat and is using it ? Just think do we sell ours and avoid taking it if the reailty is that we will have to buy a new one. We have Maxi Cosy newest one....Is there any way round it ? Can you buy something extra for it or is it just ALL UK seats that cannot be used legally HELP PLEASE

OzzieNurse

You cannot use british or european standards marked car seats in Oz!
Only those that have been stamped by Australian safety standards. I am really annoyed as I just bought a new car seat here a Brittax evolva which would last Rhys until he is 11 but cant take it to oz as it isnt legal there!!!
PANTS!! There is not a way around it they have different safety regulations and standards and have to carry the Australian safety stamp!! I am well pished off I can tell you. I had planned on taking it on the plane and then putting it into the car from the airport now I will have to get my in laws to buy one to put in their car so I can take Rhys from the Airport to the house! So annoying!

Pants

I take it that Aussie ones aren't suitable for the UK either if it works that way round? I have a lovely Safe and Sound one from Oz but looks like I will have to go and buy yet another one for being back here. !

JAMMIE DODGER

WHY DONT YOU GUYS ARRANGE A SWAP?

does this go for booster seats too

are booster seats law in OZ?. My boys are 4 and 6 so are too big for a "car seat"
but we would like them to use booster seats.

i read somewere that the OZ seats actually anchor into the frame of the car rather than just being strapped in (simmilar to the new renault and VW systems)

much safer IMHO

4500 Times

I would bring yours anyway. We wish we had, i don't know how strongly the law is enforced, but we hav'nt found anything half as good as the one we had in the UK.

You would be amazed at how many kids you see in cars not strapped in, i know it happens over there as well, but i dont ever recall seeing as many.

renth

Just use the UK ones. Who cares if they don't comply. They're good enough for the UK. You won't get done for it over here.

Sleeping Beauty

well, we brought one over, its one of those that changes to a booster seat and lasts up to child being about 11 (our 2 are little uns ).

the older one uses the one we brought, which is now just a booster seat. and the youngest had a new one bought here, which is crap. it just gets thrown in, it isnt fastened down, and isnt great. nobody has ever said anything to us. IMO bring them.

caleb2003

The seats are exactly the same brand but have an extra strap at the back which hooks on to an anchor behind the seat on the car.

As for boosters they have no such anchor and are just flimsy pieces of polystyrene, we looked everywhere for a proper seat up to 26kg for my 5 yr old, in the end finding them at Myers (Britax (actually britax ae called safensound here) Maxi .

I think someone else on here posted this recently about boosters, makes you think.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

Pollyana

Can anyone clarify the law on booster seats in Aus for me, in regard to what age/size the kiddies need to be - littlest niece will be nearly 7 when she visits this year and I need to know whether we should hire one or not?

cresta57

Australia
Child Restraints
Children under 1 year old must be restrained in a suitable approved child restraint.

Children aged 1 to 15 years must be restrained in a suitable approved child restraint, or occupy a seating position fitted with a suitable seatbelt if one is available.

If the vehicle has 2 or more rows of seats, the child must not be in the front row of seats unless restrained in a suitable approved child restraint or occupying a seating position fitted with a seatbelt.

Australian child restraints must be fitted with a top tether which is attached to a suitable mounting point on the vehicle. The use of European child restraints without a top tether is, therefore, illegal.

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/countries/australia.htm

Booster seats are there for children who have outgrown their child safety seat and who weigh between 14-26 kg (around 3-7 years of age). The booster seat raises the child so they can see out of the window and still ensure the seat belt is worn correctly. If using a booster seat with a back incorporated(e.g Observer),make sure the Childs eyes are below the top of the booster seat back when seated.

comet555

I'd also like to know the minimum age for a booster seat. We will be renting a car there and our oldest will be 3.5 years old, so I'm wondering what she should be in.

In Canada it would still be a forward facing child safety seat (not a booster).

Pants

So that means I can use my Oz one in UK just without the anchor strap???
and my safe and sound is then a Britax.....???

Pollyana

So as long as she is in the back and wearing a "suitable" seatbelt, she's legal? (My BIL gets stressed about stuff like this so I've got to get it right!!).
Thanks

cresta57

Best bet is to read the RACQ website FAQ's on child restraints.

4Reids

I found a very useful site regarding car seat laws in Oz. Have had a look at car seats too and can honestly say they don't look as good as our Graco boosters (with backs).

www.kidsafe.org.au

Tasha x