Services · Car seat assessments
Car Seat and Transport Safety Assessments
For some children, getting in the car is one of the hardest parts of the day. Maybe their body needs more support than a standard seat can give. Maybe they unbuckle, climb out, or become really distressed once the car starts moving. Often it's a mix of both.
Whatever is happening, it usually makes sense once we understand it. Often your child's body or nervous system is telling us the current set-up isn't working for them. Our job is to work out what's going on and find a seat and set-up that helps them travel as safely and comfortably as possible.
Who does the assessment
Mikaela Winter, MACA Certified Professional
Mikaela has completed MACA's Clinical Assessment and Decision-Making for Motor Vehicle Transport training, and is listed on MACA's register of certified professionals.
MACA (Mobility & Accessibility for Children & Adults) trains occupational therapists, physiotherapists and rehabilitation engineers in assessing and prescribing vehicle restraints for people with disability.
When an assessment can help
An assessment might be helpful if your child:
- Slumps, leans or slides down in their seat, or tires quickly on longer trips
- Has outgrown their current seat but isn't ready for a booster or seatbelt
- Unbuckles, slips out of their harness, or tries to climb out while the car is moving
- Becomes very distressed getting into the car, during the trip, or getting out
- Finds getting in and out of the car physically hard, for them or for you
- Has a medical condition or disability that makes a standard car seat unsafe or uncomfortable
What the assessment looks like
Step 1
Getting to know your child and the situation
We start with a conversation and gather the background. Photos or a short video of your current set-up are really helpful.
Step 2
In-car assessment
We see your child in your car with their current restraint, so we're seeing real life rather than a clinic version of it. We look at:
- How your child's body is supported when they sit, including posture, trunk control and fatigue on longer trips
- How they manage getting in and out of the car
- What travel feels like for them: the noise, movement, restraint, waiting, and the transitions on either side of the trip
- What might be driving any unbuckling or escaping, so we can support that as well as contain it
- Your vehicle, your routines, and what's realistic for your family day to day
Step 3
Trials
We arrange trials of suitable seats or harnesses, often with a specialist supplier. Some children find the right fit straight away, and others need a second trial.
Step 4
Advice to Parent form and NDIS report
If your child needs a special purpose car seat, we complete and sign the Advice to Parent form. If suitable, we also write the assistive technology report your NDIS plan needs to fund it.
Step 5
Seatbelt exemption (if needed)
If your child is at risk of getting out of their seat or harness, or can't keep their seatbelt properly fastened, a doctor needs to complete a Queensland seatbelt exemption certificate. We'll write to your GP or paediatrician with our assessment and recommendations so this part is as simple as possible.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
We bill for the time we actually spend, at the NDIS rate of $193.99 per hour. Travel is charged separately at the NDIS travel rate.
Most car seat assessments where specialised equipment is required, including trials and all the paperwork, take somewhere between 8 and 12 hours. That works out to roughly $1,550 to $2,330 plus travel. Simpler situations can come in under this. If your child needs several trials, has more than one vehicle, or there are significant safety concerns, it may take longer.
Before we start, we'll give you an estimate based on what we know about your child. If anything changes along the way, like needing an extra trial, we'll talk to you first.
Can NDIS fund this?
These assessments are usually funded through the Capacity Building (Improved Daily Living) budget in your NDIS plan, and the seat itself through your Assistive Technology budget. If you're not sure what's in your plan, we're happy to have a look with you.
Do I need to register the seatbelt exemption certificate?
We recommend it. Once the certificate is signed, you can register it with the Department of Transport and Main Roads. It's valid for 12 months, and registering it can help if a seatbelt camera picks up your child's set-up. Keep all your paperwork in the car, as any driver may need to show it if asked.
What if we're travelling interstate?
Road rules differ between states, and most need a medical certificate even if you already have an Advice to Parent form. Let us know if you're planning a trip and we can help you work out what you need.
Will the right seat solve everything?
We can't promise that one seat will solve everything. Some children need a few adjustments over time, and some need extra support with the transitions in and out of the car as well as the seat itself. What we can promise is that we'll take the time to understand your child and work with you towards a set-up that genuinely works for your family.
Is this the same as a car seat fitting?
No. A fitting is about installing a restraint correctly. An assessment works out which restraint suits your child in the first place. We work alongside your supplier and a qualified fitter.
Do you assess wheelchair transport?
No. This service covers car seats, harnesses and other vehicle restraints, not travelling in a wheelchair.
Still have questions?
Have a question, or want to know if this is the right fit for your child? Get in touch, we'd love to chat.
