4 to 7 years - Booster Seats

Current Queensland Legislation

Children aged four to seven years must be secured in an approved booster seat with an adult lap sash seat belt or child safety harness that is correctly adjusted and secured.

It is important to remember not to progress your child to a booster seat too early.

Legislation states:

• If your child is too large for a specific type of restraint, you may move your child into the next level of restraint. A child is too tall for a booster seat when the level of the child's eyes are above the level of the back of the booster seat.
• If your child is too small to move into the next level of restraint, you should keep your child in the lower level of child restraint for as long as necessary.

Choosing a booster seat

Booster seats are used to correctly position a child for effective fitting of the adult lap/sash seatbelt.  Your child can use a booster seat until their eyes (in the normal sitting position) are level with the top of the booster seat.  The height of the booster seat is important in providing support for your child's head.

Booster seats come in two styles:

• Light weight booster seat: These seats weigh under 2kg and do not require a tether strap and do not need to be anchored into your vehicle. This style of seat is ideal for grandparents or carers who are not using them on a daily basis and removing them after each use.
  
• Hi end booster: These seats these seat weigh over 2kg and require a tether strap of which must be secured to the appropriate anchor point in your vehicle.

See the wide range of booster seats available from the RACQ's online shop.

Visit our Important Points to Remember page for handy hints and tips on things to consider prior to purchasing a baby car seat.

Discount prices on all child restraints are available for RACQ members. Not an RACQ member? Join RACQ now!

How to use a booster seat

• Booster seats are held in place by the tether strap (if required), the child's weight and the vehicle seatbelt. 
• They should only be fitted to a forward facing seat. 
• If used with a lap belt only, you must also use a child harness to hold your child's head and shoulders back. The sash part of the seatbelt must cross your child's shoulder and must not come in to contact with their neck.  Most booster seat manufacturers provide a sash guide to stop this from happening.
• Before you put your child in a booster seat, it's important that they understand not to touch the seatbelt without your permission.