No. Child seats should be installed using only one installation method – either the vehicle’s seat belt and top tether (if anchor is available) or ISOFIX + top tether. Parents should always refer to the child restraint user guide with any questions.
Installed correctly, both methods of installation are equally safe. Parents should use their child restraint user guide and vehicle owner’s manual to determine the best way to install their child restraint for their vehicle and for their child.
ISOFIX anchors are the metal bars located in the vehicle seat bight where the upper and lower cushions meet. A child restraint ISOFIX anchors are affixed to the child restraint and allow installation of the child restraint without the use of the vehicle seat belt system.
A vehicle equipped with ISOFIX will have lower anchors (metal bars in the seat bight, where the upper and lower cushions meet) and a tether anchor for securing the child restraint to the vehicle.
A tether anchor is the position in the vehicle where the child restraint top tether strap is connected. This position will vary from vehicle to vehicle please refer to your vehicle owners manual.
The top tether strap is typically located on the upper part of the back of the child restraint. Please read the child restraint user guide to understand how the particular top tether strap works.
The use of the top tether strap when installing a forward-facing car seat can reduce forward movement of the child’s head in the event of a crash.
The difference between flexible and rigid ISOFIX is the manner in which the components are attached to the car seat.
ISOFIX seats offer parents and carers easier fitment of child restraints. ISOFIX seats provide greater peace of mind that the child restraint is fitted correctly and therefore perform correctly in the event of a crash. ISOFIX seats are particularly useful if a child restraint is moved from one ISOFIX compatible vehicle to another ISOFIX compatible vehicle.
Provision of lower anchorages to attach to ISOFIX low anchorages is an option for car manufacturers. Child restraints will continue to comply with the Standard by using the current seat belt and tether strap installation. Britax will provide ISOFIX compatibility on a range of child restraints. Only rear facing infant restraints and forward facing child restraints that are suitable up to approximately 4 years of age are permitted to have the capability of ISOFIX compatibility.
Yes. Australian rearward and forward facing child restraints all require the use of the top tether strap. This will continue to be required for all rearward and forward facing child restraints, including any AS/NZS 1754 ISOFIX compatible child restraints. A top tether strap prevents the child restraint from rotating forward in the event of a crash and is tested for strength, independent of the ISOFIX low anchorages or vehicle seatbelt.
Australia has had extensive experience and success in the use of top tether straps. AS/NZS 1754 utilises the significant benefits of tether straps in ISOFIX compatible child restraints which reduces the need for rigidity in the design of the seat construction and therefore keeps the weight of the seat to less than 10kg.
Child restraints without connectors to fit to the vehicles ISOFIX low anchorages cannot be converted to include connectors. Straps with connectors cannot be retrofitted as the Standard required manufacturers state that these straps must not be added.
Most vehicles will only have 2 pairs of ISOFIX low anchorages across the back seat thus only two ISOFIX compatible Child restraints can be used. There may be no room for a third child restraint or a passenger between these child restraints depending on the vehicle. If 3 pairs of ISOFIX lower anchorages are fitted they can be used.
Road rules in most Australian States/Territories do not allow children less than 4 years of age to sit in the front seat thus vehicles fitted with ISOFIX low anchorages can only be used if the vehicles is a utility or similar vehicle. In addition, rear facing child restraints cannot be fitted in a seating position which has an airbag fitted in front of that position. Users will need to check their vehicles owner's handbook and refer to their local Road Rules as well as referring to the Child Restraint Instruction manual.
No. Adding any form of strap assembly to the ISOFIX low anchorages may not be suitable to restrain an existing child restraint adequately and will not have been tested. The Australian Standard specifically requires manufacturers to advise against this addition.
No. Australian road authorities do not recommend having aftermarket ISOFX low anchorages fitted to your vehicle.
The Australian Standard (AS/NZS 1754:2013) only allows the use of isofix anchors for ‘Type A’ and ‘Type B’ restraints. These restraints are designed to carry children that are generally under the age of 4.
The use of isofix is prohibited in larger harnessed restraints such as Type G restraints. Type G restraints are designed for children up to approximately 8 years of age. This is because the car's anchorages may not be suitable for older, heavier children.
