In short
- Children under 7 must travel in a properly fastened and adjusted child restraint approved to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754, and the rules apply in rental cars too.[1]
- The type depends on age: rear-facing until 6 months, rear- or forward-facing with a harness to 4, then a harnessed seat or a booster to 7.[2]
- In a car with two rows, under-4s can't sit in the front, and 4 to 6 year olds only if every other seat is taken by children under 7.[5]
- Rentzy doesn't list child seats. Bring your own approved seat and fit it before you drive away, and ask us before you book if you need to check the car's anchor points.
What does Queensland law require for children in cars?
When you drive with a child up to 7 years old, the child must be in an Australian Standard approved child restraint that is properly fastened and adjusted. "Driving" includes sitting at traffic lights, not only moving; it doesn't include being parked.[1]
Look for the AS sticker. Only restraints carrying it have been tested and approved to AS/NZS 1754, and a seat bought overseas can't be used in Queensland unless it complies with that standard.[1] That matters if you're visiting from overseas and planning to bring your own seat from home.
The Queensland Government says plainly that the child restraint rules apply when you drive a rental vehicle, and that the exemptions that apply to taxis and similar services don't apply to rental vehicles.[1][6] At the time of writing (October 2026), the fine is $1,295 and 4 demerit points for each child not properly restrained, with double demerit points for a second offence within a year.[1] Fines are indexed each July, so check the current amount.
Which seat does my child need at each age?
| Age | What the law requires | What the government recommends |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 months | An approved rear-facing restraint | Stay rear-facing for as long as the child fits |
| 6 months to under 4 years | An approved rear-facing restraint, or a forward-facing one with a built-in harness | Stay rear-facing for as long as the child fits |
| 4 to under 7 years | A forward-facing restraint with a built-in harness, or an approved booster seat with an adult lap-sash belt | Keep the harness for as long as the child fits before moving to a booster |
| 7 years and over | May use an adult seatbelt, an approved booster with a lap-sash belt, or stay in a harnessed seat | Stay in a restraint until the child passes the 5-step test |
The legal minimum is by age, but size matters too.[2] Approved restraints made since 2011 carry marks showing the upper and lower seated shoulder height they suit, and you can move up to the next type when the child's seated shoulder height is above the top mark.[3]
The 5-step test before an adult belt
- Back: the child's whole back sits against the seat back.
- Knees: they bend comfortably over the front edge of the seat.
- Lap belt: it sits low across the hip bones, touching the thighs.
- Sash belt: it crosses the middle of the shoulder, not the neck or the arm.
- Stay: the child can sit like that for the whole trip.
If the answer to any of these is no, keep the booster.[2]
Can a child sit in the front seat?
Our Medium SUVs and Small cars all have two rows of seats, so these rules apply:[5]
- Babies and children under 4 must not sit in the front.
- Children aged 4 to 6 may sit in the front only if all the other seats are occupied by children under 7.
- Children 7 and over may sit in the front.
Airbags are the other reason to keep young children in the back: a rear-facing restraint shouldn't be used in a front seat with a passenger airbag if the restraint sits close to the airbag.[5] In a car with only one row, children of any age may sit in the front if they are properly restrained.[5]
How do I fit a child seat in a hire car?
Read the seat's own instructions first; the Queensland Government says to always follow the manufacturer's instructions. The car's owner's manual shows where its child restraint anchor points are. If the manual isn't in the car, the vehicle manufacturer's website or the manufacturer itself can help.[4]
- Don't confuse the fittings. Luggage tie-down points in the boot are not child restraint anchor points.[4]
- Get it checked if you're unsure. The government lists Kidsafe Queensland as offering child restraint installation services (contact them for a quote), and points to approved persons, listed under code LK6, who are qualified to install anchor points.[4]
- Watch how it's done. The Queensland Government links to video guides on installing and using a child restraint on its StreetSmarts website.[1]
- Allow time. Fitting a seat properly, then tightening the harness or belt and the tether, takes longer than people expect, especially in a car you haven't used before.
Is a second-hand or overseas seat okay?
Borrowing a seat from friends, or buying one second-hand for a stay in Brisbane, is common. The Queensland Government's advice:
- Check the age. Use a restraint that is less than 10 years old. It carries a sticker showing approval and a date stamp showing when it was made.[1]
- Check its history. Don't use a seat that has been in a crash.[1]
- Get the instructions. With a second-hand seat, get a copy of the manufacturer's instructions so you know how to use it safely.[1]
- Check the standard. A seat from overseas must comply with AS/NZS 1754 to be used here.[1]
What about taxis, and children with medical needs?
Child restraints aren't required in buses, trains, taxis and similar booked services, though you may be able to pre-book a taxi with a child restraint or use your own. That exemption doesn't extend to rental vehicles.[6] So if you take a taxi or rideshare to collect the car, the seat you bring for the drive home is still needed.
A child with a medical condition or disability who can't use a standard restraint may be covered by a doctor's certificate or a prescribed restraint under AS/NZS 4370; the driver must carry the certificate and show it to police if asked.[6] Our rental conditions cover who may drive, and the rest of what to bring is in our pickup checklist. For other Queensland rules, see road rules that catch visitors.
Sources
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): Child restraints (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): Types of child restraints (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): When to move to the next type of restraint (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): Installing a child restraint (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): Where children should sit (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): Exemptions from complying with standard child restraint laws (read 23 October 2026)
Written by the Rentzy team at Rentzy Car Rentals. Rentzy prices, fees and rules in this guide come from our published terms and update with them; rules set by others (roads, tolls, licences, transport) are from the official pages above, as read on the dates shown. Something out of date? Tell us.
