From 19 January 2026, new mandatory safety standards for infant sleep products will be taking effect across Australia. These changes affect all consumers who use infant sleep products, including ECEC services. The updated mandatory standards set out requirements for the design, construction, and warning labels on infant sleep products and inclined non-sleep products.
New Mandatory Standards
- Safety information and warning label requirement. Infant sleep products and inclined non-sleep products must be supplied with safety information on the use of the product and a warning label affixed to the product during its lifecycle at the service.
- Use of inclined sleep products. These products must have an incline of no more than 7 degrees to reduce the risk of suffocation from the chin-to-chest position. A range of features required of these products has been updated in line with safety regulations, and more details can be found on the ACCC Product Safety Guidance.
- Use of inclined non-sleep products. A range of inclined non-sleep products not intended for sleep, such as rockers and bouncers, are now covered under the mandatory standards. These products must only be used for their intended purpose, and children must not be left unsupervised when using these products.
These changes aim to reduce the risk of injury or sudden death linked from products that infants do or may fall asleep in.
Bassinets continue to be prohibited on ECEC premises at any time while children are present, as per regulation 84.
Approved providers must:
- ensure all sleep equipment is safe, clean and in good repair
- have a Safe Sleep and Rest Policy and Procedure (regulation 168), which addresses the safety and suitability of cots, bedding, and sleep equipment (regulation 84B).
- policies and procedures should also be updated to align with the new mandatory standards before they take effect
- ensure infant sleep products such as cots are used in line with Red Nose safe sleep recommendations and any product warning labels
- conduct regular safe sleep risk assessments (regulation 84) to review the safety and suitability of infant sleep products
For more information, please read the following: New Mandatory Safety Standards On Infant Sleep Products
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From 19 January 2026, new mandatory safety standards for infant sleep products will be taking effect across Australia. These changes affect all consumers who use