Program
Extensive development work and research informed AuSAP’s program of work
About
The development of the Australian Safety Assessment Program (AuSAP) involved 12-18 months of research and investigation (2020/2021) into standards, regulations, policy, programs and products.
The review included understanding prescribing practices of Australian allied health professionals and our knowledge about the safety and performance of the vehicle restraint systems used by people with disabilities and medical conditions, including:
Scope of work
The review identified that AuSAP should include special purpose car seats, modified car seats, specialty harnesses/vests and lie flat child restraints.
Australian standard car seats were not included as they are already supported by Australian/New Zealand standards, and the Child Restraint Evaluation Program.
The Expert Committee identified significant gaps in research and knowledge relating to modified car seats and specialty harnesses/vests, requiring further research prior to assessment and testing. Therefore AuSAP’s initial assessment activities focused on special purpose car seats and lie flat child restraints.
Special purpose car seats
The AuSAP program development, and MACA's national survey, revealed that the current products available in the Australian market were not meeting the range of user needs.
A desktop review of special purpose car seats available in Australia and globally was undertaken. This review found six products available in Australia, and further products for consideration from the global market.
Australian importers
MACA worked with Australian importers to seek their interest in participating in AuSAP and introducing or increasing their special purpose car seat range. During this process, the project team discovered that many importers had faced barriers to introducing special purpose car seats in Australia. The lack of knowledge about special purpose car seats and oversight in Australian standards, policy and legislation has deterred industry from supplying products to the Australian market.
In 2021, MACA issued an Expression of Interest to participate in AuSAP. Read more about AuSAP participants here.
Research and knowledge gaps
Modified car seats
In response to the gaps in research and knowledge, Neuroscience Research Australia offered a PhD scholarship to investigate modified car seats and allied health professional practice. You can read more about this research here.
Specialty harnesses/vests
MACA sought funding to undertake research and investigation into specialty harnesses/vests and led an Austroads project for both Australia and New Zealand.
This project was undertaken in partnership with The George Institute for Global Health. The report includes expert safety recommendations for the selection and use of specialty harnesses and vests. We are currently developing guidance materials for prescribers.
Looking forward
The next phase of AuSAP will consolidate achievements, broaden its scope, and pursue new funding opportunities to ensure sustainability. Priorities include:
- Testing special purpose car seats designed to the new European regulation ECE r129, to secure supply of these products in Australia.
- Incorporating specialty harnesses and vests into AuSAP, informed by new research.
- Supporting initiatives that activate the opportunities within the revised Australian standard for child restraints (AS/NZS 1754), which for the first time includes requirements for restraints for children with disability.
- Seeking Commonwealth funding and corporate sponsorship for AuSAP.
- Promoting inclusiveness of AuSAP information on government websites and other channels.
