Hi, I'm new here
My name is Jodie and I live in Australia.
I have no kids of my own, but have a 6 month old godson and babysit him and other kids regularly.
Since I got my licence 2.5 years ago and needed to make an investment in a car seat for babysitting, I have done plenty of research about car seat safety.
After finding out about the benefits of RF, and doing hours of research about seats in countries such as Sweden, I am APPALLED at the standards in Australia.
I'm not sure if anyone else has bought this up, but here are the basics.
The law was changed to this in November 2009.
~ Infants 6 months an under must be restrained in a RF Australian-approved restraint.
~ Children 6 months to 4 years must be restrained in a FF Australian-approved restraint.
~ Children 4 to 7 years must be resrained in a booster with a lap sash seat belt or harness.
Australian Standards like to think they are the best, but in this case they are NOT. The "safest" car seat available for purchase in Australia is the "Safe N Sound Premier AHR Air Cushion".
Yes it may be super safe, but as we all know by now RF is THE SAFEST!!!
And this seat only goes up to 12kg RF, the same as all Australian seats.
Some of the cheaper ones only go up to 9kg RF!!!!
Noone will ship Swedish/UK/USA seats to Australia . I have tried numerous times. However, this week I have found a Britax Hi-Way for sale on eBay. It is brand new and is listed for $175AUD. I can't WAIT to get my hands on it!!!
I know it is illegal in Australia to have a seat with no Aust-Standards sticker on it, but I honestly don't care. I'd rather have other people's kids be super safe in my car and risk a fine, than have them restrained inadequately and something happen.
I'm hoping that someone on these forums has more info about the Aust laws and can tell me if they will be improved in the future.
Thanks, Jodie
My name is Jodie and I live in Australia.
I have no kids of my own, but have a 6 month old godson and babysit him and other kids regularly.
Since I got my licence 2.5 years ago and needed to make an investment in a car seat for babysitting, I have done plenty of research about car seat safety.
After finding out about the benefits of RF, and doing hours of research about seats in countries such as Sweden, I am APPALLED at the standards in Australia.
I'm not sure if anyone else has bought this up, but here are the basics.
The law was changed to this in November 2009.
~ Infants 6 months an under must be restrained in a RF Australian-approved restraint.
~ Children 6 months to 4 years must be restrained in a FF Australian-approved restraint.
~ Children 4 to 7 years must be resrained in a booster with a lap sash seat belt or harness.
Australian Standards like to think they are the best, but in this case they are NOT. The "safest" car seat available for purchase in Australia is the "Safe N Sound Premier AHR Air Cushion".
Yes it may be super safe, but as we all know by now RF is THE SAFEST!!!
And this seat only goes up to 12kg RF, the same as all Australian seats.
Some of the cheaper ones only go up to 9kg RF!!!!
Noone will ship Swedish/UK/USA seats to Australia . I have tried numerous times. However, this week I have found a Britax Hi-Way for sale on eBay. It is brand new and is listed for $175AUD. I can't WAIT to get my hands on it!!!
I know it is illegal in Australia to have a seat with no Aust-Standards sticker on it, but I honestly don't care. I'd rather have other people's kids be super safe in my car and risk a fine, than have them restrained inadequately and something happen.
I'm hoping that someone on these forums has more info about the Aust laws and can tell me if they will be improved in the future.
Thanks, Jodie