Many childcare centres already provide the option for parents to bring their own seat for bus trips but some are reluctant as they are unaware if the bus company will allow them to use them on their buses or have been told by bus companies, they are not allowed to use them. Below is the information that show why you CAN use child restraints and untethered boosters on charter buses. Many children under 12yrs of age do NOT reach the 145cm height that an adult seatbelt requires for a safe fitment.
“VicRoads recommends that child restraints and booster seats are used in buses where possible. As a minimum the children should use the seat belts provided.” - VICROADS https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/vehicle-safety/child-restraints/frequently-asked-questions-about-child-restraints
All charter buses must have minimum 6 anchor points and these are usually found in the first 3-4 rows on the window side. “At least six ‘Seats’ in the vehicle must be provided with ‘child restraint anchor fittings’” - Federal Register of Legislation vehicle standards- Australian Design rule 68/00- Occupant protection in
Buses 2006 clause 5.6.1
In situations such as child care centre/ kindergarten preschools hiring the charters most parents wouldn’t usually have the ability to come and install their own seat on the bus.
Therefore, there is the option of the parent, preschool or bus company providing an untethered booster seat to help ‘bo
ost’ the child to fit the adult seatbelt better.
These booster seats meet Aus/NZ standard 1754:2004,2010,2013 weigh less than 2kg, fold flat for storage/ carrying and do not have a top tether so do not require an anchor point. (https://www.productsafety.gov.au/product-safety-laws/safety-standards-bans/mandatory-standards/child-restraints-for-use-in-motor-vehicles)
Booster seats for use in motor vehicles, being devices:
a) for raising a child’s position in a motor vehicle, and
b) for adapting an adult seatbelt for use as a child restraint; and
c) having a back above the seating plane.
- (Federal registration of legislation- Consumer Protection Notice No. 3 of 2014 SAFETY STANDARD: CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES) (https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2014L01252)
The untethered boosters do not require installation, they simply are placed on top of the existing bus seat, the child sits on and then the seatbelt is guided over.
A child restraint with inbuilt harness DOES require installation and therefore this would NOT be an expectation of either a Bus company OR childcare centre but the responsibility of the parent. However, this should still be mentioned as an option for families.
Additional Information:
Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA)
Publication approved by Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council.
Best Practice Guidelines for the Safe Restraint of Children Travelling in Motor Vehicles
Table 5 evidence statements
1. Booster seats mitigate the risk of serious injuries to children too small for adult seat belts and poor lap belt fit is associated with increased risk of abdominal and head injuries.
2. Poor shoulder belt fit is associated with increased risk of neck injuries.
3. Poor should belt fit is associated with increased risk of spinal injuries.
4. Children do not get good adult belt fit until they can sit upright (not sloughing) with the lap belt low and firm across the iliac spines of the pelvis and shoulder belt in centre of shoulder
Public transport
2.13 Consensus based recommendation “On long distance coaches, children should use a size appropriate restraint. If the size appropriate restrain is a rearward or forward facing child restraint it should be correctly installed in one of the supplied seating positions equipped with top tether strap anchorages. If these seats or anchorages are not available, children over 1 year of age should use a lap-sash seatbelt and children under 1 year of age should be seated in their own seating position if possible”
2.14 Consensus based recommendation “Children using community transport buses should use an age-appropriate child restraint wherever possible”
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, for further information, questions or queries don’t hesitate to contact me.
Edwina McLean
(Accredited Child Restraint Installer and Clinical Midwife Specialist)
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