Better late than never, the Isofix child seat should be made legal in Australia within the next 12 months or so - more than 15 years after it was introduced in Europe.
Last week the Federal Government announced a new vehicle safety standard that will enable European Isofix child seats to be used.
Isofix seats were delayed in Australia because experts initially said they were no better at protecting an infant in a crash than the seatbelt-and-tether system mandated since 1975.
However, a study by the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria in 2004 found that 70 per cent of tethered child seats were fitted incorrectly, versus international studies that showed 2 per cent of Isofix child seats were fitted incorrectly.
A statement from the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Catherine King, said: “While the current Australian child restraints have been very successful in reducing death and injuries in children over the past 30 years, many parents have indicated a preference for child restraints that use the international Isofix system.
“For many parents this means child restraints will be easier to install while maintaining a high level of safety for their children.”
Standards Australia has started on the regulations that will clear the way for Isofix seats to be used. The process is expected to take at least 12 months.
The government said seatbelt-and-tether restraints would continue to be allowed after Isofix is introduced.
Most new passenger cars sold in Australia over the past 10 years – more than 5 million vehicles – have Isofix latch points, but it is illegal to use them.