First Australian standard for specialty harnesses and vests
Setting a new standard
The first ever Australian standard covering the use of specialty harnesses and vests – AS 5384: Accessories for seat belts used in motor vehicles – was published in September 2023, in a significant advancement for children and young people with disabilities and medical conditions.
Prescribing practice
Despite MACA's national survey showing that specialty harnesses and vests are the most commonly prescribed device by Australian allied health professionals, there has been no Australian standard that caters for their design, safety and performance until now.
To support best practice prescribing, MACA has developed the first national online training course for allied health professionals.
AS 5384
MACA was a member of the Standards Australia committee responsible for drafting this standard and represented the transport needs of people with disabilities and medical conditions.
The new standard includes minimum requirements for postural support devices (such as specialty harnesses and vests) including for design, construction, performance and information (e.g., instructions for use and labelling).
AS 5384: Accessories for seat belts used in motor vehicles is voluntary and provides suppliers in the Australian market with an opportunity to develop and supply products that comply with the relevant section of this new standard.
Advancing research
While the new standard is a welcome advancement, there is still a lack of research regarding specialty harnesses and vests.
That’s why MACA is leading the delivery of a two-year Austroads research project in partnership with The George Institute for Global Health. This project, for Australia and New Zealand, will advance our knowledge in this area.
The outcomes of this work will help to develop information and expert recommendations to guide specialty harness and vest use for children and young people with disabilities and medical conditions.
Learn more
MACA's website includes information about specialty harnesses and vests, as well as other vehicle restraint systems often used by children and young people with disabilities and medical conditions.
We also have a national product register which lists all specialty harnesses and vests available in Australia today. The listings will be updated over time in response to new research and the new standard.
To address this, MACA is leading an Austroads project to investigate specialty harnesses/vests with the aim of including them in the Australian Safety Assessment Program (AuSAP). This project will also deliver safety expert recommendations for the use of specialty harnesses/vests.
