Booster seats

Booster Seats: A Complete Guide for Australian Parents

Keeping your child safe in the car is one of the most important responsibilities of parenthood. As kids grow and outgrow their forward-facing car seats, booster seats become the next essential step in protecting them on every journey. This guide is designed to help Australian parents understand what booster seats are, why they matter, when to use them, and how to choose the safest option for their child and vehicle — so you can shop with confidence and peace of mind.

What Is a Booster Seat?

A booster seat is a child restraint designed for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seat but are not yet big enough to safely use an adult seat belt alone.

Instead of using an internal harness, booster seats position your car’s seat belt correctly across your child’s body, ensuring the belt sits on the strongest parts of their frame.

How booster seats work

Booster seats lift and position your child so that:

• The lap belt sits low across the hips and upper thighs, not the stomach
• The shoulder belt crosses the centre of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or face

This correct positioning significantly reduces the risk of serious injury in a crash.

Why Booster Seat Safety Matters

Crash protection basics

Adult seat belts are designed for adults, not children. Without a booster seat, seat belts often sit too high on a child’s abdomen or neck, increasing the risk of internal injuries, spinal damage, or severe head trauma in a collision.

Using a booster seat reduces injury risk by:

• Improving belt fit
• Supporting safer posture
• Providing additional protection during side impacts

Australian safety standards

All booster seats sold in Australia must comply with AS/NZS 1754, the mandatory child restraint safety standard.

Safety call-out:
✔ Always check that your booster seat is AS/NZS 1754 approved
✔ Avoid second-hand seats unless you know their full crash history

When to Use a Booster Seat

Age and height guidance in Australia

While laws vary slightly by state, general Australian guidelines recommend:

• Minimum age: 4 years
• Height Marker: When your child’s shoulders reach the markers on the seat

By law, children must use an approved child restraint until at least 7 years of age.

Signs your child is ready to move to a booster seat

Your child may be ready to transition when:

• They have outgrown the height of their forward-facing seat
• Their shoulders sit more than 2.5cm above the harness slots

Choosing the Right Booster Seat

Key features to look for

When comparing booster seats, prioritise:

• AS/NZS 1754 certification
• Adjustable headrest and belt guides
• Side-impact protection
• Comfortable padding for longer trips
• Easy installation and adjustment

Tethered vs Untethered Booster Seats

In Australia, booster seats must meet safety standard AS/NZS 1754, but they can be either tethered or untethered, depending on your car and how often the seat is used.

Tethered booster seats connect to your car using the top‑tether strap. This makes them more secure and stable, especially in a crash. They also usually have extra safety features like side impact protection, headrests and anti-subs that help keep the seatbelt correctly positioned. Because of this, experts and safety organisations say tethered boosters should be used whenever there is an anchor point available, as they offer the highest level of protection for kids aged 4–7 and beyond.

Untethered booster seats are lighter, portable seats designed mainly for occasional use, such as when grandparents or caregivers need to transport a child or when using a seating position with no anchorage point, like the third row in some SUVs. They must still have a backrest and side protection and must always be used with a lap‑sash seatbelt (never a lap belt alone). While they meet safety standards, they don’t offer the extra stability of a tethered seat, so they’re recommended only when a tether point isn’t available.

Installation and Safety Tips

Seat belt positioning

Correct belt placement is critical:

• Lap belt low across the hips
• Shoulder belt across the shoulder, never behind the back or under the arm

Common mistakes to avoid

• Switching to a booster seat too early
• Using a booster seat without head support
• Allowing children to tuck the belt under their arm
• Using expired or damaged seats

Safety reminder: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and your vehicle handbook.

Booster Seat FAQs

Are booster seats necessary?
Yes. Booster seats are legally required in Australia for children under 7 and are proven to reduce injury risk.

At what age is a booster seat used in Australia?
Most children transition around 4–6 years old, depending on height

Booster seat vs Harnessed car seat — what’s the difference?
Car seats use an internal harness, while booster seats rely on the car’s seat belt for restraint.

Recommended Booster Seats

At babaloo, we stock a carefully curated range of trusted booster seats that meet Australian safety standards, designed to support your child from preschool through to their early school years. 

Shop Booster Seats with Confidence

Your child’s safety matters — and choosing the right booster seat can make all the difference. Browse our booster seats to find the safest fit for your child — shop now.