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| carseats | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 3 2007, 02:23:10 PM (1,002 Views) | |
| WIMOM | Sep 3 2007, 02:23:10 PM Post #1 |
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Piker
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What are the carseat rules in AU - we are moving to the Melbourne area? I have a 3.5 year and 6 year old.. Thanks Hatti |
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| TerritorianTori | Sep 3 2007, 11:47:22 PM Post #2 |
It couldn't happen here
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Hi Hatti, Check out this page: http://www.bubhub.com.au/infocarseats.shtml It's worth noting that most US carseats do not comply with Australia's standards, and cannot be legally used here. You will probably need to buy new ones. :(( |
 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| koalamama | Sep 4 2007, 08:57:10 AM Post #3 |
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True Blue Mate
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For what it's worth, we didn't buy new ones... |
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| alect | Sep 5 2007, 02:41:48 AM Post #4 |
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True Blue Mate
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Tori - why don't they comply? Is it just a matter of not being ASA certified or something substantial? I know Rachel doesn't like the Aus seats as they don't have the chest level buckle that clicks the belts together and swears she is going to bring the seats from here. |
| Los Angeles to Melbourne with my Yank wife (and dual daughter plus twins in the oven) | |
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| TerritorianTori | Sep 5 2007, 02:53:12 AM Post #5 |
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It couldn't happen here
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I'm not sure, to be honest - I've never used a US car seat so I don't know how they compare. But here's what the site actually says: notes for overseas visitors All child restraints used in Australia must comply with current Australian standards - one of the main features of which is the use of a rear strap to an anchor point. Australian child restraint standards are some of the most stringent in the world and most overseas child restraints do not comply with these standards and cannot legally be used in Australia - this includes restraints from countries such as the UK and USA. It is advisable to hire a child restraint in Australia from a reputable hire service (see section above) rather than bringing your own from overseas. I guess it's up to you if you want to use yours or not, but that's the official word on the subject... |
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South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| surfermomkelly | Sep 8 2007, 04:46:42 PM Post #6 |
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True Blue Mate
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The car seat that we brought over for my car there has an attachment for the rear anchor so we did not replace it. Its a really expensive car seat so it has everything for anything. |
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| anater | May 7 2008, 03:10:03 PM Post #7 |
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True Blue Mate
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I was wondering if most vehicles have the top tethers for child seats? We're probably going to purchase a Toyota Camry a few years old so I'm curious if the Tether is standard, or do car seats even use the LATCH system in AU? |
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| Nanook | May 8 2008, 05:51:02 AM Post #8 |
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True Blue Mate
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When we've travelled to Oz for holiday we've taken our US car seats over there. We were surprised to find that there were no side anchors in the vehicles that we used (3 different new model vehicles) only the top tether - so we had to use the seatbelts. :eek: |
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| shylady | May 8 2008, 09:38:06 AM Post #9 |
oldYank
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Our 2006 Holden Commodore only has a top latch in the center, but there are plugged holes to install the ones on either side. Couldn't find any side or lower anchor points :headscratch: |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| JennINbrisvegas | May 8 2008, 09:41:35 AM Post #10 |
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Chinwagger
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We purchased a new carseat when we came over here, and although they are a tad bit different it really isn't that big of a change I don't think. I have seen attachments at Toys R Us here, that'll give you that Center clip. But just something for you guys to think about, Australians have raised kids per these standards for a long time, and all of the kids are just fine. So in all honesty I really don't think its a matter of which is safer or what not. Its only another adjustment to living in a new country. And something to think about is breaking the law, is it really worth that considering some of us are here under certain visa's? I mean how would that look in the eyes of the government? Oh, and there are still alot of people whom use seatbelts vs latch in the states because they get a better install like that. LATCH hasn't been proven to offically be the "safest" way to go, in the end its a matter of each seat in each car, which way is the most secure install. In our Jeep (back home) the latch didn't give us the best install so we had to use the belt, but when my father's silverado we got the best install with the LATCH. |
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| NY'ker | May 8 2008, 09:54:55 AM Post #11 |
True Blue Mate
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I can't find where I read it, but I am 99% sure you have 3 months to get new seats that comply with the Australian standards. So I figured I'll take over our existing seats and then shop around for what I like and replace them in a couple of months. No biggie! :mrgreen: |
 Natalie (Aussie) and Greg (American) and our two kiddos - Mackenzie (5) and Jack (2) | |
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| anater | May 8 2008, 10:41:14 AM Post #12 |
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True Blue Mate
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Three months to shop would be helpful. I certainly don't want to be in violation of any laws, but I can't imagine trying to get home from the airport and going through those first few weeks without a seat. I have a SafeGuard Go booster seat that has a five point harness. It requires the use of seatbelts and a top anchor. It is a great seat, lightweight and folds for travel. I purchased that particular booster because it has a five point harness that goes to 60 pounds. I had a Britax that allowed use of the five point harness to 65 pounds but it was too darn heavy to travel with. Good to hear that the top anchor might not be an issue. |
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| TerritorianTori | May 8 2008, 11:28:41 AM Post #13 |
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It couldn't happen here
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Hmmm I can't seem to find anything that says you have 3 months to switch over - and you'd think it would be an important piece of info for would-be migrants. Not saying you're wrong or that I don't believe you, Natalie, only that I can't find it.
 However, I did find this thread over at British Expats which says that using non-Australian-approved car seats will invalidate your car insurance if you get in an accident. Over here, it talks about a $150 fine and losing 3 demerit points (but it was written in 2005 so a bit dated). Here's a government document entitled "A Simple Guide to Child Restraints", info on national standards and where to call for more info (in each state) listed on pp 17-18 And then I saw this: http://www.britzinoz.com/info/driving.htm "Note the following added June 2005 Standards Australia has tightened the Australian Standard® for child restraints following concerns around the need to improve the safety of children during a side impact collision. The revised Australian Standard® for child restraints, AS/NZS 1754 Child restraints for use in motor vehicles, was published in November 2004 and includes the requirements for more rigorous side impact testing. The two new systems likely to be approved for the new Australian standard are the European ISOfix system, which clips the child seat rigidly in place via snap connectors at the base of the seat - particularly useful in side impacts - and a more flexible US "Latch" tether system. Both require top tether straps to further control child seat movement." From your description of US car seats (I've never used one myself), it seems like a no-brainer. And I can fully appreciate not wanting to have to worry about shopping around for a car seat on top of everything else you have to do as soon as you arrive. :cheers: |
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South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| NY'ker | May 8 2008, 02:10:53 PM Post #14 |
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True Blue Mate
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I can't find anything either, but you know when you just have a feeling that you have read something......I know that isn't grounds for spouting off advice :nono: SO, I just emailed the RTA to see what they say. When they get back to me I will let you know what their official word is. Come to think of it, I did email them once before, maybe that is where I originally read it. :headscratch: Sorry, don't mean to be irresponsible! :# |
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Natalie (Aussie) and Greg (American) and our two kiddos - Mackenzie (5) and Jack (2) | |
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| TerritorianTori | May 8 2008, 11:27:54 PM Post #15 |
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It couldn't happen here
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Please let us know what you find out. I have a feeling the rules are slightly different depending on the state... just like everything else. |
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South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| flgirlinsydney | May 9 2008, 03:54:03 PM Post #16 |
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Chinwagger
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Personally, I wish wish wish I would have brought my carseats from the U.S. here. We had the tethering strap that goes around the back of the seat (and I guess that is the requirement). Our U.S. carseats were Britax, I think it was the Marathon- and they were great. Here the carseats do not have the 5 point system-- they only buckle at the crotch-- my 3 yr. old can take his arms out! I don't understand why they would think the standards are so strict here, I think the U.S. ones are much better with the 5 point harness. They do not use the LATCH system here, which I've heard that they realize using the seatbelt with the carseat is safer anyways now -- giving a little "give" if there was an accident. I thought we weren't allowed to use ours here (wrong) and bought 2 new ones by Safe N Sound here for about $300-- they are nice, and they have cupholders (I was really into that part), but no buckle across the chest. I just don't get that. Hmmm?  If you like your U.S. ones, I would bring them... maybe send thru with the luggage-- you won't need them on the flight-- we just used the seatbelts. Though I did purchase these kid seatbelts approved by the FAA and Qantas if you want to feel a little more little more like he's belted in good-- here's a link to what we bought-- http://kidsflysafe.com/ |
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http://www.floridagirlinsydney.blogspot.com In Sydney since June 2007 for my husband's job. | |
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| AmyFromCO | May 9 2008, 04:32:28 PM Post #17 |
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True Blue Mate
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This is thread has now confused me. I did see a public service commercial when we first arrived that said all children under 1 were required buy law to be in a car seat (they showed the capsule type). I turned to DH as said that's weird that they only require the infants be in the seats and that other children and any passenger for that matter (adults too) only need be in a seat belt. This could have just been a misleading commercial. I think this is WAYYYYY less stringent than in the US. There are many Americans living here in A.S. and not once were we ever told in our moving literature that our seats were no good and not "legal" I did have an Aussie mom tell me that their seats were safer and I asked to see hers. No diffeernce that I could see. Our seats are 5 point restraints with a tether. Hers was not a 5 point....she agreed that ours was probably safer. Also, It appears to me that there is absolutely no difference between the US and the Aus Booster seats which can be used at age 4 and 14 kilos. Well no difference that I could see except they are 2 times as expensive. I looked at the bench type booster seat at the A.S. K-mart. ~Amy |
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| pastrycook-136 | May 9 2008, 09:01:34 PM Post #18 |
True Blue Mate
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I think some or all rental car companies offer carseats to rent with the car if needed. This might be a possibility if you are just arriveing and renting a car to get to where you are staying. If you plan to rent a car check with your rental company about this. |
| "If you want to gather honey don't kick over the beehive!" | |
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| JennINbrisvegas | May 9 2008, 09:15:43 PM Post #19 |
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Chinwagger
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Here's some info for you all on the whole Car Seat Situation, it IS illegal to use a car seat here that does not have the Australian Standard Sticker on it which means that it is illegal to use US Car Seats since they don't have the sticker! I personally don't feel that their more strict here, nor do their seats seem to be safer. But I personally feel better knowing i'm not breaking any laws. Here's a guide to the recomended seats per weight  Here are the warnings where it does specify that your seat must be up to Australian Standards  and here's a blurb where it talks about the law when a child is over/under 12months old  The last two were taken from the brocure from the GOV, http://www.atsb.gov.au/pdfs/child_restraints.pdf |
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| shylady | May 9 2008, 10:32:45 PM Post #20 |
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oldYank
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yeah. kwirkie-Lisa kept their newly-bought Australian carseats out of her husband's work-vehicle one day, so I could take her and 2 youngest shopping, while Sarah (just 5) was at school. My husband was quite upset that we roamed around illegally, without the proper anchors and tethers :(( :# |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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7:11 PM May 19