Despite playing a key role in assessing and prescribing for the motor vehicle transport needs of people with disability, physiotherapists and other allied health professionals are not recognised in the Australian Road Rules – but this could be about to change. 

The National Transport Commission is reviewing the child restraint provisions for children under 16 years of age in the Australian Road Rules. 

In October 2025, it published an issues paper for consultation. 

Under the current rules, only medical practitioners can grant exemptions from standard car seating requirements. 

This can create unnecessary barriers for families, including increased time and financial costs, with flow-on effects on road safety, community participation and overall wellbeing. 

Mobility and Accessibility for Children and Adults Ltd (MACA) contributed to the development of the issues paper as a member of the Commission’s expert advisory group and provided a formal submission in response to the review. 

MACA strongly supports the proposed recognition of suitably trained allied health professionals – physiotherapists and occupational therapists – in the definition of prescriber. 

If adopted, the proposed regulatory framework would allow physiotherapists, occupational therapists and medical practitioners to authorise the use of an alternative restraint or method of travel (such as a special purpose car seat) for a child with disability. 

This proposal aligns with the role many physiotherapists and occupational therapists already undertake in conducting clinical assessments and prescribing alternative methods of travel for children with disabilities and medical conditions, consistent with their professional obligations and Ahpra regulation. 

Research further indicates that allied health professionals are the primary source of advice for parents seeking guidance on safe and appropriate transport options for children with disability (Black et al 2024).

The proposed changes reflect growing evidence and contemporary practice, recognising the specialised knowledge and clinical skills required to assess and prescribe for the motor vehicle transport needs of children with disabilities and medical conditions. 

Physiotherapists interested in developing specialist expertise in this area can undertake MACA’s online course, ‘Transporting children with disabilities and medical conditions’. 

This comprehensive course was developed with funding from the Australian Government Department of Social Services and has been completed by nearly 900 allied health professionals. 

Course content includes road safety principles, Australian road rules, transport challenges, vehicle restraint options, documentation, restrictive practice, scope of practice and the role of allied health professionals. 

Following completion, participants can register for free with MACAhub Pro to access best-practice prescribing tools and ongoing professional development. 

They may also choose to be listed on MACA’s public directory of MACA Certified Professionals. MACA encourages physiotherapists to contribute to the second phase of consultation expected in the coming months. 

Final recommendations will be submitted to transport ministers for approval in late 2026.

Quick link: 

• References