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Aims: Carboplatin dosage is calculated by using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to achieve a target plasma area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC). The aims of the present study were to investigate factors that influence the pharmacokinetics of carboplatin in children with high‐risk neuroblastoma, and whether target exposures for carboplatin were achieved using current treatment protocols. Methods: Data on children receiving high‐dose carboplatin, etoposide and melphalan for neuroblastoma were obtained from two study sites [European International Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Neuroblastoma study, Children's Hospital at Westmead; n = 51]. A population pharmacokinetic model was built for carboplatin to evaluate various dosing formulas. The pharmacokinetics of etoposide and melphalan was also investigated. The final model was used to simulate whether target carboplatin AUC (16.4 mg ml–1·min) would be achieved using the paediatric Newell formula, modified Calvert formula and weight‐based dosing. Results: Allometric weight was the only significant, independent covariate for the pharmacokinetic parameters of carboplatin, etoposide and melphalan. The paediatric Newell formula and modified Calvert formula were suitable for achieving the target AUC of carboplatin for children with a GFR <100 ml min–1 1.73 m–2 but not for those with a GFR ≥100 ml min–1 1.73 m–2. A weight‐based dosing regimen of 50 mg kg–1 achieved the target AUC more consistently than the other formulas, regardless of renal function. Conclusions: GFR did not appear to influence the pharmacokinetics of carboplatin after adjusting pharmacokinetic parameters for weight. This model‐based approach validates the use of weight‐based dosing as an appropriate alternative for carboplatin in children with either mild renal impairment or normal renal function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]