car seat laws in Western Australia
the complete guide to child car seat and restraint laws in Western Australia (WA). covering every age group, fines, demerit points, and exemptions.
WA penalties at a glance
$600
fine
4 demerit points
penalty
rules by age group
rear-facing (birth – 6 months)
babies must travel rear-facing from birth until at least 6 months. it is recommended to keep children rear-facing as long as possible.
forward-facing with harness (6 months – 4 years)
children from 6 months to under 4 years must be in an approved rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint with harness.
booster seat (4 – 7 years)
children aged 4 to under 7 must use a forward-facing child restraint with harness or an approved booster seat.
seatbelt only (7+ years)
children 7 years and over can use an adult seatbelt. a booster is recommended until 145cm tall.
front seat rules
children under 4 must not sit in the front if the vehicle has two or more rows. children 4 to under 7 cannot sit in front unless all back seats are taken by younger children.
taxis and ride-share
children under 1 must not travel in the front of a taxi. children over 1 may travel without a child restraint in a taxi if one is not available, but must wear a seatbelt.
WA specific notes
- •WA has among the strictest penalties for child restraint breaches, with 4 demerit points
- •the driver is legally responsible for all passengers under 16 being correctly restrained
- •Kidsafe WA offers restraint checking events and fitting stations
source: this information is based on Government of Western Australia / Road Safety Commission. always check the official source for the most current rules.
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this guide is for informational purposes only. car seat laws are based on publicly available information from Government of Western Australia / Road Safety Commission and were accurate at the time of writing. fines and rules may change — always check the official source for the latest. mini mode is not affiliated with any government agency.