NSW Helmet Safety Testing and Assessment Ratings five-star picks

Parents keen to keep their kids safe when they head out on their bikes, scooters and skateboards won’t have to break the bank this year for a top-quality helmet, according to the latest safety rankings.

Parents keen to keep their kids safe when they head out on their bikes, scooters and skateboards won’t have to break the bank this year for a top-quality helmet, according to the latest safety rankings.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal a $30 white unicorn helmet available from Kmart has been awarded five stars by the NSW government’s second annual Helmet Safety Testing and Assessment Ratings.

The helmet joins the $22 Bluey helmet which also earned five stars last year, ensuring families don’t have to worry about compromising on safety amid the cost-of-living crunch.

For comparison, the $290 Fox Rampage Youth MIPS helmet topped the rankings as the safest overall children’s helmet for 2025.

It comes after more than 50 bicycle helmets, including models specifically for skaters and scooter riders, were put through rigorous impact testing at the NSW Crashlab in Western Sydney,

The tests included vertical drops, strap strength tests and drop tests with moving platforms, with star ratings assigned based on the helmet’s ability to protect the user’s head in each scenario.

The NSW Government’s second annual Helmet Safety Testing and Assessment Ratings (STAR) has awarded five stars to a $30 white unicorn helmet available from Kmart. .

One star means the helmet “meets the crash protection required by recognised helmet standards” in Australia, while five stars means the helmet is “exceptional in crash protection and well above the recognised helmet standards”.

“The good news is price does not always equal safety and value options that deliver five-star safety do exist,” NSW Transport Minister John Graham said.

“Similar to car safety ratings, it is a simple check for lasting peace of mind.”

NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the ratings had also tested more helmets than ever before, expanding to full-face mountain bike and open-face models.

“Helmets save lives – with research showing they can reduce head injuries by 70 per cent and fatal injuries by 65 per cent. But only if you’re wearing the right one,” she said.

The release of safety ratings for 54 bicycle helmets this year brings the total number of reviews and ratings available to 115 and the government has urged all riders and parents to seek out the list.

Originally published as NSW Helmet Safety Testing and Assessment Ratings five-star picks