Buyer checklist · 2026
Baby cot safety standard checklist for Australian buyers
This publication shares ownership with PeptaraLabs, Lab Ranked Agency, and Dental Link.
Baby cot safety standard rules in Australia changed on 19 January 2026, so any new cot you buy now should meet the updated mandatory standards. This guide explains what that means in plain words and gives you a short checklist to use in the shop or online.
What the baby cot safety standard says
Australia has two rules for infant sleep products. One is a mandatory safety standard. The other is a mandatory information standard. Both were introduced on 18 July 2024, and businesses had to comply from 19 January 2026.
The rules cover household cots, portable folding cots, bassinets, cradles, co-sleepers and inclined sleepers. They aim to cut the risk of death and injury from products that babies sleep in.
A household cot must meet one of three standards. The first is AS/NZS 2172:2013, Cots for household use, Safety requirements. The others are the US standard ASTM F1169-19 and the European standard BS EN 716-1:2017. Folding cots follow a different set, which starts with AS/NZS 2195:2010.
Who has to follow it
The duty sits with suppliers. That means the people who make, import or sell the cot. As a buyer, you do not have to test anything. You just need to know what a compliant cot should show you.
The rules do not apply to antique, collectable or second-hand goods, with one exception: second-hand goods brought into Australia are covered. If a business breaks the rules, fines and penalties may apply, and it may have to recall the product.
Checklist 1: the label and the paperwork
A compliant cot should come with clear information. Look for these items before you pay.
- Instructions for assembly and for use.
- The recommended mattress size, and its thickness, stated for that cot.
- Simple safety warnings on the packaging and the product.
- A mark showing where the cot was made.
The warnings must also appear online and on or near the product in a store, for example on a swing tag or a sign. If you are buying online and cannot find them, ask the seller before you order.
The product warnings cover putting the baby on a firm, flat surface, on their back. They also cover keeping the cot away from blinds, cords and straps, and not putting objects or accessories in the sleep space.
Checklist 2: gaps, sides and stability
Product Safety Australia does not give gap measurements on its buyer page, so do not rely on a tape measure. Use the plain checks it lists instead.
- No gaps that could trap a baby's head, neck or limbs.
- No footholds a child could use to climb out.
- Sides high enough to prevent falls.
- A cot that feels sturdy and stable when you shake it gently.
- No sharp edges, and no part sticking out more than 0.5 cm, because these can snag skin or clothing.
If the cot has a drop side, it should have a clearly distinct, secure locked position. Check often that it works, and keep it up and locked whenever the baby sleeps.
Checklist 3: mattress fit
The mattress is part of the safety design. Only use the size and thickness made for your cot. A mattress that is too small can leave a gap at the edge, and Product Safety Australia warns of the risk of falls and entrapment.
Never add a second mattress or extra padding. Skip pillows, bumpers, folded quilts and sleep positioners too. Keep the baby on their back on a flat, firm, level surface with the head and face uncovered.
When your child can sit, pull up or stand, lower the mattress to its lowest level.
If you are buying second-hand or want to report a problem
The new rules do not cover second-hand cots sold within Australia, but the official advice still says to check them carefully. Four steps help.
- Check that the cot has not been recalled.
- Confirm that it meets the current mandatory standards.
- Make sure every part is in good working order.
- Make sure the assembly and use instructions are included.
Never change a cot in a way that harms its safety features. Keep it away from blinds, curtain cords, heaters, electrical appliances and mobiles.
If you think a cot does not meet the standard or is unsafe, you can use the ACCC's report an unsafe product form. For serious injury or urgent help, call Triple Zero (000).
A short summary
Before you buy, run through the checklist: a clear label with the mattress size, no trap gaps or footholds, high sturdy sides, a locked drop side if there is one, and the right mattress. Our own limit: the editors read official guidance. We do not test cots or run a laboratory.