Australia - The Consumer Goods (Aquatic Toys) Safety Standard 2026

​A new mandatory standard - The Consumer Goods (Aquatic Toys) Safety Standard 2026, commenced on June 26,  2026. There is a transition period until June 25, 2028 for suppliers to adjust to the new standard.

The standard aims to reduce the risk of serious injury or death to children from drowning while using aquatic toys.

The mandatory standard applies to inflatable and non-inflatable aquatic toys. This includes items that can be worn or attached to the body. Aquatic toys are not swimming and flotation aids.​

These aquatic toys are:

• able to bear the mass of a child under the age of 14

• to use for play in shallow water by a child.

Aquatic toys can include but are not limited to:

• inflatable novelty shapes

• inflatable toy boats for shallow water

• unattached rings — complete or partial.

The mandatory standard does not apply to:

• beach balls

• bodyboards

• kickboards

• surfboards

• inflatable air beds, whether they are intended for use in water or not

• inflatable boats for deep water.

Inflatable aquatic toys must meet design and construction requirements set out in the mandatory standard.

Aquatic toys must have a permanent warning on them as required by the mandatory standard.

Up to June 25, 2028, suppliers must comply with one of the following standards:

• Australian and New Zealand standard AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2019

• Australian and New Zealand standard AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2023

• International standard ISO 8124-1:2018

• International standard ISO 8124-1:2022.

From June 26, 2028, suppliers must comply with one of the following standards:

• Australian and New Zealand standard AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2023

• International standard ISO 8124-1:2022