age child front seat

Wondering when a kid can ride shotgun in Australia? In vehicles with two or more rows, children under 4 must stay in the back; kids 4 to under 7 can use the front seat only if all rear seats are occupied by younger children, and they must be in an approved child seat/booster. From 7 years it’s legal to sit up front, but the back seat is safer until they’re about 145 cm and pass the five-step belt-fit test. In single-cab utes with no back seat, it’s allowed with the correct restraint—never place a rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag. Rules are harmonised nationally but enforced by each state, with fines and demerits for freelancing. When in doubt, check your state road authority and your owner’s manual; nothing ruins a day out like debating centimetres with a constable.