QLD car seat laws
the complete guide to child car seat and restraint laws in Queensland (QLD). covering every age group, fines, ISOFIX, and exemptions.
rules by age group
birth to 6 months
rearward-facingmust use an approved rearward-facing child restraint. the child must be properly secured in the harness.
rearward-facing is the safest position for infants — it supports the head, neck, and spine in a crash.
6 months to 4 years
rearward-facing or forward-facing with built-in harnessmust use either a rearward-facing child restraint or a forward-facing child restraint with a built-in harness. rearward-facing is recommended for as long as possible.
many safety experts recommend keeping children rearward-facing until at least 2 years of age, or until they reach the height/weight limit of their seat.
4 years to 7 years
forward-facing with built-in harness or booster seatmust use a forward-facing child restraint with a built-in harness or an approved booster seat restrained by a correctly adjusted and fastened seatbelt.
a booster seat positions the child so the adult seatbelt sits correctly across their shoulder and hips, not their neck or stomach.
front seat rules
children under 4 must not sit in the front seat under any circumstances. children aged 4 to 7 must not sit in the front seat unless all back seats are occupied by children under 7 years of age.
fines and penalties
$413 fine and 3 demerit points for failing to properly restrain a child passenger.
ISOFIX
all child restraints sold in Australia since November 2014 must be compatible with ISOFIX anchor points. ISOFIX anchorages are mandatory in all new passenger vehicles sold in Australia since November 2014. ISOFIX provides a more secure and easier installation — look for the ISOFIX-compatible label when purchasing a child restraint.
exemptions
- •taxis and rideshare (e.g. Uber): children under 7 may travel without a child restraint if one is not available, but must sit in the back seat and wear a seatbelt if one is fitted. children under 1 must be held by an adult passenger in the back seat.
- •medical exemption: a child may be exempt if a medical practitioner provides a certificate stating the child cannot be restrained in a child restraint for medical reasons.
- •vehicles without seatbelts: if the vehicle does not have seatbelts (e.g. some older vehicles), child restraints cannot be fitted. however, children should still sit in the back seat.
view all state car seat laws
the complete state-by-state guide
this guide is for informational purposes only. car seat laws are based on publicly available information from Queensland Government (Department of Transport and Main Roads) and were accurate at the time of writing. fines and rules may change — always check the official source for the latest. mini mode is not affiliated with any government agency.