Baby & Child Seat Regulations

Baby Seat - Child Seat Restraint Laws in Australia

National laws have been introduced to standardize child seat restraint regulations throughout Australia. This replaces differing standards and regulations in various states.

New law summary:

• Children younger than six months must be secured in a rearward facing restraint
• Children aged six months to under four years must be secured in either a rear or forward facing restraint
• Children aged four years to under seven years must be secured in forward facing child restraint or booster seat
• Children younger than four years cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows
• Children aged four years to under seven years cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows, unless all other back seats are occupied by children younger than seven years in a child restraint or booster seat.

How does this affect campervan or motorhome hire in Australia?

Many campervans available for hire in Australia cannot be fitted with baby or booster seats. However almost all larger motorhomes have the correct anchor points for baby seats.

In general, most campervans described as a 2/3 berth campervan are not suitable for children under 4 years as an anchor point is not fitted to these vehicles.  In some cases a child aged 4 and up to 7 may be able to use a booster seat placed in the left side passenger seat where a lap/sash seat belt is fitted. If there is an adult passenger travelling then this passenger would have to sit in the middle seat. This seat is usually quite small and it may not be comfortable when sitting between the driver and a bulky booster seat.

A better option for travellers wishing to hire a smaller campervan, without the cost of a full sized motorhome, would be to hire a campervan with additional rear seating and correct anchor points. These can then be fitted with up to 2 baby seats or a baby and booster seat. Campervans for hire that fit this criteria include:

Campervans able to have 2 baby or 2 booster seats:

• 4 berth Voyager campervan – fleet age 2 - 4 years. Click to view
• 4 berth Warrior campervan – fleet age 4 - 6 years. Click to view

These campervans are automatic transmission vehicles but do not have a shower & toilet.

Campervans with shower & toilet able to have a baby or booster seat:

There is only one campervan with a shower and toilet that can be fitted with a baby seat for children under 4 years. This also allows the child to sit in the front with the adult passengers. Or a booster seat can also be fitted in the front for a child aged 4 to 7 years.

• The 3 berth Cruiser campervan. Click to view

Most 2 berth campervans with a shower and toilet available for hire in Australia cannot be fitted with a baby seat however some may permit a booster seat in the left passenger seat if there is only 1 adult and 1 child (4 to 7 years) travelling.

Motorhomes with shower & toilet able to have a baby or booster seats:

Almost all larger motorhomes for hire in Australia, in the 3, 4, 5 & 6 berth range, have anchor points for baby seats in the rear motorhome section. However some may be restricted to one baby seat and one booster seat. This means 2 baby seats cannot be fitted to those vehicles.

Most other motorhomes permit 2 baby seats and 2 or more booster seats in the rear.

Please always advise the age of your children in any enquiry so your Auto Rentals Australia Wide travel consultant can ensure you are booking a suitable campervan or motorhome.