Travel Info Travelling with Children
Travelling with Children

Australia, made easy
for the whole family.

Wildlife encounters, beaches, and genuinely family-friendly infrastructure -- with a few practical rules worth knowing before you land.

Child car seat and booster seat laws

Australia has strict, nationally consistent child restraint laws, enforced by the driver of the vehicle. These apply to hire cars, private transfers, and rideshare/taxi trips alike -- there is no exemption for tourists.

AgeRequirement
Under 6 monthsApproved rearward-facing car seat. Cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows.
6 months - 4 yearsRearward-facing car seat, or forward-facing car seat with an inbuilt harness. Cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows.
4 - 7 yearsForward-facing car seat with inbuilt harness, or an approved booster seat. Cannot sit in the front seat unless all other back seats are occupied by children under 7.
7 years and overLegally permitted to use an adult seatbelt, though a booster seat is strongly recommended until the child comfortably passes a "5-step" seatbelt fit test -- typically not until age 10-12.
⚠️ Important for Visitors

All child restraints used in Australia must meet Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754. Car seats brought from overseas often do not carry this certification and may not legally be used, even if compliant with your home country's standards. Fines for non-compliance are significant and vary by state (commonly AUD $450-$2,200 per child).

What we arrange for you: when you book transfers or a rental vehicle with us, tell us the ages of any children travelling and we arrange correctly certified, professionally fitted child seats in advance -- one less thing to pack, carry through airports, or worry about getting right.

Flying with infants and young children

Major airlines serving Australia (Qantas, domestic carriers, and international partners) generally offer bassinets for infants on long-haul flights -- request this when booking, as availability is limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Domestic flights within Australia are typically 1-5 hours; short-haul carriers rarely offer bassinets, so factor this into itinerary planning for very young infants.

Health and medical care

Australia has excellent hospitals and medical care, but visitors are not covered by Medicare (Australia's public health system) and will be billed at full cost for any treatment. Comprehensive travel insurance covering the whole family, including medical evacuation, is essential -- confirm your policy covers all ages, including infants.

Pharmacies (chemists) are widely available in cities and towns and can advise on common ailments, over-the-counter medication, and minor injuries without needing a doctor's appointment.

Sun protection is non-negotiable

Australia has some of the highest UV levels in the world, even on overcast days. Sun protection for children should be treated as essential, not optional: broad-spectrum SPF50+ sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and rash shirts for swimming. Most beaches, pools, and outdoor attractions have shaded areas, but reapplication throughout the day matters more than people expect.

What makes Australia easy with kids

Practical packing notes for families

💡 Our Advice

Tell us the ages of everyone travelling when you enquire -- it changes which destinations, tour lengths, and accommodation styles we recommend. A programme built for a family with a 2-year-old looks very different from one for a family with teenagers.

Planning a family trip?

Tell us the ages of everyone travelling and we'll build an itinerary that genuinely works for the whole family.

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