Seat belts and child seats in Western Australia (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: All drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts where fitted, and the driver is responsible for children. Children under 4 may not sit in the front row of a vehicle with 2 or more rows of seats.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | 0 to 6 months: rear-facing child restraint. 6 months to under 4 years: rear- or forward-facing restraint with an in-built harness. 4 to under 7 years: forward-facing child seat or booster seat with a seatbelt or child safety harness. 7 to 16 years: suitable child seat or adult seatbelt. [1] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | 0 to under 4 years: not in the front row if the vehicle has 2 or more rows. 4 to under 7 years: front seat only if all other rear seats are filled with passengers aged under 7. 7 to 16 years: front or rear seats. [1] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | A driver who does not ensure children are properly restrained could get a fine and lose demerit points [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | Children aged 4 to under 7 may use a booster seat with a seatbelt or child safety harness; children aged 7 to 16 use a suitable child seat or adult seatbelt. [1] |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | Safety cameras detect seatbelt offences; camera enforcement started on 8 October 2025 after an eight-month warning period, and 60,200 seatbelt infringements had been issued by 20 May 2026 [2] |
Notes
- Seating positions are subject to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.
- The page does not give amounts.
Sources
- Department of Transport (WA): Seats and seatbelts (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of Western Australia: New figures show driver behaviour change from safety cameras (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in Australia and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for Australia
| Child restraint required until | Set by each state and territory. The model Australian Road Rules are not national laws in force across Australia: each state and territory has copied them into its own laws, not every provision exactly, and some matters are left to the states and territories to decide. (source: National Transport Commission) |
|---|
More rules in Western Australia
- E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 50 km/h · Minimum age: 16
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; 10 g or less may get an intervention notice · Growing at home: Banned
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 110 km/h
- Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, Containers for Change · Deposit per container: 10c refund
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
- Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Specified drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any cannabis detected
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules, 16+ · Minimum age: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while a visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or permanent resident: transfer within 3 months
- Home educationNature of the parental duty: School or registration
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without lawful excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
- MopedsMinimum age to ride: From 15 years 6 months · Licence: Class R-N or other WA licence
- Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
- Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Mounted or not touched
- Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, on rent or hire
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.