Reviewing the Australian Roads Rules to align with best practice child restraint guidance

The child restraint rules within the ARRs were last reviewed in 2010. Since that time, there have been significant changes to child restraint design and research into best practice use. NTC will work with state and territory jurisdictions, as well as relevant stakeholders to review the current ARRs relating to child restraints. There will be a specific focus on the following areas:  

• Appropriate use of child restraints
• Children using adult seatbelts
• Children travelling in the front seat
• Improving the level of protection for children with medical conditions and disabilities

We will be engaging with a range of stakeholders on the nature and extent of the problems with the current child restraint rules. There will be a public consultation in first half of 2025 to make sure we have a comprehensive understanding of the current issues.  

Based on research, expert advice and stakeholder feedback we will develop evidence-based options for improving the child restraint requirements. The NTC will have another public consultation on these options in the second half of 2025.

The NTC will take final recommendations to Ministers in the first half of 2026.

We are establishing an Expert Advisory Group to provide advice to the NTC to help us understand the issues, their impacts and the potential solutions.  

The advisory group will include representatives from all Australian governments, police, advocacy groups, road safety experts and research organisations, manufacturers, installers, medical and allied health professionals.