Baby Product Safety Standards in Australia – What Parents Must Know

Buying products for your baby is exciting. But it can also feel overwhelming when you are not sure what is actually safe.

Australia has some of the strongest baby product safety rules in the world. Knowing the basics helps you shop with more confidence and less stress. This guide explains what the standards mean, which products they cover, and what to look for when you are choosing gear for your little one.

What Are Australia's Baby Product Safety Standards?

In Australia, baby product safety is regulated under the Australian Consumer Law. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) enforces these rules through what are called mandatory safety standards.

A mandatory standard means every supplier in Australia must meet specific design, construction, and labelling requirements before they can legally sell a product. If a product does not meet the standard, it cannot legally be sold here.

These standards exist to reduce the risk of injury and death. They are not optional guidelines. They are legal requirements.

What Changed in 2024 for Infant Sleep Products?

In July 2024, the Australian government introduced two major new standards specifically for infant sleep products. These came into full effect in January 2026.

The Consumer Goods (Infant Sleep Products) Safety Standard 2024

This standard now covers a much wider range of products than before. Previously, mandatory rules only applied to household cots and folding cots. The 2024 update extended coverage to include rockers, bassinets, and other products a baby might sleep in.

The Consumer Goods (Infant Products) Information Standard 2024

This standard requires that safe sleep warnings and assembly instructions appear clearly on packaging and product listings, including online. If you buy a baby sleep product from an online store, the warnings must be visible on the product page.

These updates were introduced because many infant deaths and injuries in Australia were linked to products that had no mandatory standards at all.

Which Baby Products Have Mandatory Safety Standards?

Not every baby product has a mandatory standard. But the following categories do:

Infant sleep products

• Household cots

• Folding and portable cots

• Bassinets

• Rockers marketed for sleep

• Inclined sleepers up to 7 degrees

• Co-sleepers that attach to a bed

Other products with mandatory standards

• Baby walkers

• Prams and strollers

• Baby capsules and car seats

• High chairs

• Bath seats

• Baby dummies and soothers

• Toys for children under 36 months

Products like baby loungers, swings, and bouncers do not have a mandatory sleep standard. This means they can only legally be marketed for supervised play, not sleep. You may still see these products sold in Australia, but they should not be used as a sleep surface.

What to Look for When Buying Baby Products in Australia

Check for compliance statements

Reputable Australian retailers and brands will state that their products meet Australian mandatory standards. If you cannot find any safety information, ask before you buy.

Look for clear labelling and warnings

Under the 2024 information standard, sleep products must carry safe sleep messaging. If a product has no warnings or instructions, that is a red flag.

Be careful buying secondhand

Older baby products, especially cots and prams, may not meet current standards. If you are buying secondhand, check the product model against the ACCC recall database at productsafety.gov.au before using it.

Check for product recalls

The ACCC regularly publishes product recalls on productsafety.gov.au. It is worth checking this site when you buy any new baby item, and again if you hear about a recall in the news.

Stick to trusted retailers

Buying from curated, Australian-based stores helps reduce the risk of receiving non-compliant products. At Bubs Universe, products are hand-picked with safety and quality in mind. Browse our newborn essentials and nursery range for carefully selected gear.

A Note on Safe Sleep for Babies

Safe sleep is one of the most important things you can do to protect a newborn. The ACCC updated its standards specifically because unsafe sleep environments remain one of the leading causes of preventable infant death in Australia.

The Red Nose Australia guidelines recommend placing babies on their back to sleep, in their own safe sleep space, with no loose bedding, pillows, or bumpers.

When choosing products for your baby's sleep space, look for items designed with safety as the priority. Our baby monitor and night light collection includes products that support a safe and calm sleep environment.

Button Batteries – A Safety Risk Parents Often Miss

In June 2022, Australia introduced the world's first mandatory button battery safety standards. This followed a number of serious injuries and deaths in young children who swallowed button batteries.

Under these rules, any product containing a button battery must have a secure battery compartment that a child cannot open without a tool. Products must also carry clear warnings.

When buying toys, remotes, musical books, or any baby gear that uses batteries, check that the battery compartment is fully secured.

Buying Baby Products Online – What to Know

Many parents buy baby products through online marketplaces. The ACCC has made online safety a priority because unsafe products are more commonly sold through overseas-based online sellers.

• Buy from Australian-registered businesses where possible

• Check that product listings include safety warnings and age suitability

• Be cautious of very cheap products with no brand information

• Check productsafety.gov.au before purchasing unfamiliar brands

• Report unsafe products to the ACCC if you receive something that seems non-compliant

Common Questions About Baby Product Safety in Australia

Are all baby products in Australia safety tested?

No. Not every product category has a mandatory standard. Products with mandatory standards must be tested and compliant before being sold. Products without mandatory standards still need to be safe under general Australian Consumer Law, but there is no specific test they must pass.

How do I know if a baby product has been recalled?

Visit productsafety.gov.au and search the recalls database. You can also sign up for email alerts so you are notified when new recalls are issued.

Can I use a secondhand cot?

You can, but check carefully. Older cots may not meet current mandatory standards. Look up the model on the ACCC website, check for any recalls, and inspect it for loose parts, paint chips, or gaps that could trap a baby.

What does it mean when a product says it meets Australian standards?

It means the product has been designed and tested to comply with the relevant mandatory safety standard for that product type in Australia. For sleep products, this includes the 2024 safety standard.

Is a baby lounger safe for sleep?

No. Baby loungers are not approved or certified sleep surfaces in Australia. They are designed for supervised use during awake time only. Under the 2024 standards, products can only be marketed for sleep if they meet the mandatory safety standard for infant sleep products.

Shop with Safety in Mind

Australia's safety standards for baby products exist for good reason. They protect your child from preventable harm.

The best thing you can do as a parent is stay informed, buy from trusted sources, and check the ACCC website when you are unsure. A little research before you buy goes a long way.

All products at Bubs Universe are hand-picked with care and safety as a priority. Explore our baby essentials and baby feeding range for gear you can feel good about.