AuSAP FAQs

AuSAP aims to make sure families of children with disabilities and medical conditions have access to suitable and safe child restraint systems. This program assesses (including sled crash testing) restraint systems and develops independent prescribing advice and information about each product. This supports allied health professionals in prescribing suitable vehicle restraint options for children and gives parents greater choice in vehicle transport decisions that affect their child and family.

Currently, there is very little independent, evidence based information for allied health professionals, families, funding bodies, government and suppliers about the safety performance and best practice use of restraint systems used by children with disabilities and medical conditions.

For example, MACA’s national survey shows that over half of Australian health professionals report they do not have the knowledge required to address car seating and travel needs for children with disabilities and medical conditions. In addition, 70% of parents report never receiving any information on how to safely transport their child.

AuSAP supports the rights of children with disabilities and medical conditions to suitable and safe products where they are unable to travel safely and comfortably in ‘regular’ child restraints (of which we have long-established safety standards).

It further expands safe transport options by making it easier for organisations to supply and promote products in Australia. This increases choice and better meets the needs of our vulnerable road users and their families.

Helen Lindner, MACA’s Chief Executive, initiated assessment of the special purpose car seats available in Victoria in 2013, when working with VicRoads, the road agency for Victoria. At the time, this work informed government funding and prescribing practices for Victorian allied health professionals.

AuSAP builds on this earlier work, however it is more comprehensive, nationwide, and includes all restraint types (i.e., not just special purpose car seats) used by children with disabilities and medical conditions.

This is a world first initiative, with potential for global impact.

The vehicle restraint options used by children with disabilities and medical conditions include Australian standard car seats, modified car seats, special purpose car seats, and specialty harnesses/vests.

AuSAP is currently assessing special purpose car seats, and aims to include specialty harnesses/vests in future activities.

The AuSAP program uses selected criteria from AS/NZS 1754 Child restraint systems for use in motor vehicles. This includes frontal and side impact testing.

Find out more about the AuSAP Test and Assessment Protocol.

Australian standard car seats all meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754.

There is also an established independent review program for Australian standard car seats – known as the Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP).

This program is supported by road safety focused organisations and tests car seats to a higher level than the Australian standard. The results are available at childcarseats.com.au and provide consumers with information to inform their purchasing decisions. This includes star-ratings for safety and ease of use information.

Due to the range of special purpose child restraints catering for the unique needs of children with disabilities and medical conditions, the AuSAP Expert Committee assessed that a star rating system was not suitable. Instead, individual restraint assessment supported by clear prescribing advice was recommended.

AuSAP is not a certification program. Rather, it provides independent information about the strengths and limitations of the different restraint systems available for children with disabilities and medical conditions in Australia.

It is important to remember that all special purpose car seats comply with an overseas standard or regulation.