Question Moving to Australia from the USA - can I still use my car seats?

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Jul 26, 2010

• #1

I have a 6yo in a Compass booster and am in need of buying another seat for my 2.5yo as his Marathon is about to expire. I don't want to waste my $ getting a seat here only to get to Australia and find out my seats aren't allowed and that I have to buy Australian seats. Anyone know if I can use my American seats or if I'll have to replace them? Thank you!

 

finn

New member

• Jul 26, 2010

• #2

No you cant use your US seats in Australia, all seats in Australia have to have meet the Australian standards, in saying that though Australia doesn't have any high weight harnessed seats, they all harness to 18kg/40lbs, so if it were me I would buy a hwh seat for your younger child and use it illegally.

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Jul 27, 2010

• #3

Thanks for the reply. I see that you're from NZ and are using Britax seats - is it the same way there? Do you have to use them illegally? What are the repercussions if I'm found out to be doing that? And is there a problem with my Compass booster, or should that be okay?

Sorry to ask more questions - I really want to make sure this is well-planned, and our time is short.

 

B

Bella_a1

New member

• Jul 27, 2010

• #4

I'm in Australia and no you aren't allowed to use your US seats. I use a Radian RF illegally but that is the choice I make if I was you I would buy seats that will last you and bring them with you. Where in Oz are you moving to?

 

leebeeag

New member

• Jul 27, 2010

• #5

Im in Australia also. All my sons are currently riding in American seats(DS3-MA[13kgs=ERF] & DS1[23kgs] &2[21kgs]-Regents). Aussie child restraints only harness to 18kgs. I agree with previous poster..purchase the seats you need and bring them with you. Australian seats suck

My friends children around the same age as my kids are FF at 6-9months and no carseat from approx 3-4yrs.

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Jul 27, 2010

• #6

Bella_a1 said:

I'm in Australia and no you aren't allowed to use your US seats. I use a Radian RF illegally but that is the choice I make if I was you I would buy seats that will last you and bring them with you. Where in Oz are you moving to?

Click to expand...

Ahh, good to know. Then I'll go ahead and get another seat - my childrens' safety is worth breaking the law, I think.

I'm moving to the Clayton, Melbourne area. My husband just found out a couple days ago he got the job, and we have to be out of our current apartment in three weeks. Yeah, my time to get us ready is VERY short. But we're unbelievably excited - this is a dream come true for me.

 

finn

New member

• Jul 27, 2010

• #7

Unregistered said:

Thanks for the reply. I see that you're from NZ and are using Britax seats - is it the same way there? Do you have to use them illegally? What are the repercussions if I'm found out to be doing that? And is there a problem with my Compass booster, or should that be okay?

Sorry to ask more questions - I really want to make sure this is well-planned, and our time is short.

Click to expand...

My Britax are European, which are legal here. NZ accepts more standards than Australia. I am taking my Radian over when we visit Australia next month and I will use it illegally

 

Adventuredad

New member

• Jul 28, 2010

• #8

Aussie seats have the great disadvantage of having a very low rear facing limit. Your 2.5 year old sitting rear facing would be a huge safety advantage compared to forward facing in a harnessed seat.

Using US or EU seats are not legal in Australia but risk of anyone noticing is basically zero.

May I please ask how tall and heavy your 2.5 year old is?

 

msg221

Well-known member

• Jul 28, 2010

• #9

Unfortunately, everyone is right about Australian seats. I have several aunts, an uncle and many cousins who live there. I was shocked when I saw a pic of my cousin's great nephew forward facing--at 6 months old!!!! I e-mailed her and asked about it and that is when she told me they are allowed to forward face them that young!

 

L

lenats31

New member

• Jul 28, 2010

• #10

[quoteAussie seats have the great disadvantage of having a very low rear facing limit. ][/quote]

AMEN to that!

The have good forwardfacing seats - good but no better than the rest of the world, which means that rearfacing seats are still 5 times better

 

D

delgirrrl

New member

• Jul 29, 2010

• #11

In your situation I would definitely take my US seats over. No, as already said, they won't be legal. But with RF limits of 12kg and FF limits of 18kg, (and small shells too), I'd say the last thing you want for a 2.5yo is to buy an Australian seat. The Australian Standard is very high, and they're good seats, just small ones. My son at 2 yrs 2 mths outgrew by height, as well as weight the tallest harness height seat available in Australia.

A number of Australian and New Zealand parents have elected to import and use US seats that are not legal - It comes down to personal beliefs about breaking the rules vs protecting your kids. Sadly they're not always the same thing!:twocents:

 

B

Bella_a1

New member

• Jul 30, 2010

• #12

Hope you have a great move. Australia is a lovely place (we moved here from New Zealand last year) I am sure you will love it here.

On your way to Melbourne can you stop by Brisbane and drop a Frontier 85 off for me, lol.

Must get one of those shipped for DD who is over the 18kg weight for her Australian seat. She has just turned four and I have to put her in a seatbelt booster if I don't import.