Child Safety Equipment Hire Pricing & Information

Child Restraint Categories
Child restraints have been categorised into 3 different weight groups:

> birth to 9kg	birth - 6 months (approx)	baby restraint or 'capsule'
> 8 - 18kg	6 months - 4 years (approx)	child restraint
> 14 - 26kg	2 - 7 years (approx)	booster seat and/or harness

A baby restraint, or 'capsule' is a rear facing seat. This should be used until your child is at least 8kg in weight or 70cm in length.

A child restraint is a forward facing seat with it's own belt system. This should be used until your child has outgrown it; when the shoulders are too broad to fit or when the head is above the back of the restraint.

A booster seat is for older children to position them correctly to use a conventional adult seatbelt. A booster seat should be used until a child's eyes are level with the top of the rear seat. They can then graduate to a normal adult position.

A harness is an additional belt system that can be used with or without a booster seat instead of the standard belts fitted into the car.

Travelling in Taxis
If you are picking up your vehicle from an off-airport depot/hire-location and will be travelling in a taxi with your child, we hope that this information may be useful.

Children under the age of 1 do not have to travel in a child restraint in a taxi, although it would be best to do so. Taxi companies may be able to provide child restraints if they are given sufficient notice. A surcharge is the norm for the hire of the child seat and you will often have to pay for the taxi to collect the seat from a depot or taxi company's headquarters. Your journey will be metered from the carseat collection point, to wherever you are picked up and then onto your final destination. Check all charges with your taxi company in advance and ensure that you book your vehicle well in advance (at least an hour).

All taxis should have the correct anchor point for fitting the restraint, but it is always advisable to call the taxi company in advance to check.

Older children must use a child restraint if one is available. If there isn't one available, the child must wear a properly fastened and adjusted seatbelt.

The rules for travelling in taxis with very young children do vary from state to state within Australia. It is advisable to check with taxi companies when booking and to order a child seat in advance. Customer service desks at airports (both within Australia and internationally) should be able to assist you with booking taxis with childseats if you are not able to pre-book a taxi prior to your arrival.

Notes for Overseas Visitors
All child restraints used in Australia must comply with current Australian standards - one of the main features of which is the use of a rear strap to an anchor point. Australian child restraint standards are some of the most stringent in the world and most overseas child restraints do not comply with these standards and cannot legally be used in Australia - this includes restraints from countries such as the UK and USA. It is advisable to hire a child restraint in Australia from the vehicle hire company rather than bringing your own from overseas.