Specialty harnesses and vests

A specialty harness or vest is an accessory product that is sold separately to vehicle restraint products, often used to support postural needs or occupants who try to get out of their vehicle restraint.

In some instances, yes. However our buckle release project found there is a broad range of challenges relating to children getting out of their vehicle restraint. It is important to assess a child's individual needs and identify all vehicle restraint options that may support keeping a child in their car seat or vehicle seat during travel.

The NDIS Commission’s position, as outlined in their Safe Transportation Practice Guide is that a harness prescribed for postural/therapeutic support is not considered a regulated restrictive practice, regardless of whether the person is also engaging in behaviours of concern.

However, using a harness on a person to manage a behaviour of concern in a vehicle, who does not require it for postural/therapeutic support is considered a regulated restrictive practice.

For help relating to restrictive practice, visit the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website or call 1800 035 544.

Most suppliers of specialty harnesses and vests have registered these products with the Therapeutic Goods Association as a medical device for postural support.

Yes. There are forward facing car seats with built-in harnesses. This type of Australian standard car seat complies the the Australian standard for child restraints (AS/NZS 1754) and is suitable for 50 per cent of children up to at least 10 years of age (labelled as suitable from 6 months to 8 years of age).

MACA's national product register includes a list of the specialty harnesses and vests sold in Australia today.

Until recently, there was no Australian standard for harnesses and vests.

‘AS 5384: Accessories for seat belts used in motor vehicles’ was published in September 2023 and caters for the design, safety and performance of the specialty harnesses/vests commonly used by occupants in motor vehicles.

It includes requirements for postural support devices (i.e., harnesses/vests) and outlines crash testing, labelling and packaging requirements.

This provides suppliers in the Australian market with an opportunity to develop and supply products that comply with the relevant section of this new standard.

Despite specialty harnesses and vests being the most commonly prescribed device by Australian allied health professionals, there is a lack of independent information and research relating to their design, construction, safety performance and use.

To address these gaps MACA sought funding support and is now leading an Austroads project, in collaboration with The George Institute for Global Health, to research and investigate harnesses/vests for both Australia and New Zealand.