What age can a child sit in the front seat in Australia?
Bluey is allowed to sit in the front seat, so why can’t I?” That’s the question children across Australia are asking after watching the Bluey special episode ‘The Sign’. But when can kids legally sit in the front seat in Australia?We know that ever since Bluey got to sit in the front seat in ‘The Sign’, kids all over Australia have been busting to get their turn to sit in the front seat! But what are the child car seat laws in Australia, and do they differ from state to state?
Can your six- or seven-year-old legally sit in the front seat of your car in Australia?
There are all sorts of myths floating around the parenting grapevine about when kids can sit in the front seat but, with safety being every parent’s priority, don’t forget that the safest place for all children to sit is in the back and secured by the correct child restraint for their age and size. See our handy guide to choosing the right child seat here.
Experts at Raising Children Network say:
“The second row of seats is the safest place in the car for children aged 12 years and under. You should sit your child in the second row whenever possible. If you must sit your child in the front row, adjust the seat as far back as possible to protect your child from injury if airbags are activated. Never disable or remove a car’s airbags.”
As the driver, you are legally responsible for ensuring all children are properly restrained in your vehicle, and failing to do so could result in a fine and demerit points. Make sure you know where you stand before giving in to your kids’ endless requests!
It is important to know the laws and remember that, if you are travelling interstate, they might differ, so make sure you check before you travel.
As a mum of two, family car journalist and founder of BabyDrive.com.au, I’ve put together this guide on when kids can travel in the front passenger seat of a car:
When can kids sit in the front seat in Australia?
When it comes to what age children can sit in the front seat of a car, according to Australian Government-funded parenting resource Raising Children Network, the legal requirements for motor vehicles with two or more rows of seats are:
From birth up to four years:
Children must sit in any of the back rows, not the front row.
From four years up to seven years:
Children should sit in any of the back rows. Children can sit in the front row only if they’re the right size to use an untethered booster seat and only if all other rear seats are occupied by children under seven years.
Children aged seven years and older:
They can sit in the front row using an untethered booster seat or a properly fitted and adjusted lap-sash adult seat belt.
What if my car only has one row of seats? Can kids sit in the front seat?
There are exceptions for motor vehicles with only one row of seats, such as single-cab utes, vans and sports cars.
Children can sit in the front row if they’re using an appropriate car seat that’s installed correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If the vehicle doesn’t have a top-tether anchorage point and you can’t get one installed, children can sit in the front row only if they’re the right size to use an untethered booster seat.
If the vehicle has a passenger airbag, children can sit in the front row only if they’re the right size to use a forward-facing car seat. You must not use a rear-facing car seat in the front row if there’s a passenger airbag.
What is an untethered booster seat?
Untethered booster seats are designed to provide a portable, convenient option for children from approximately four to eight years old, depending on their size.
Untethered booster seats weigh less than 2kg, and it’s advised they are for occasional use only in Australia.
Two popular options are the Infasecure Versatile Folding Booster and Britax Safe-n-Sound Tourer.
Can my kids travel in the front seat in a rideshare or taxi?
The laws around where children can legally sit in a taxi or rideshare differ from state to state in Australia. To help you, check out our guides to travelling with kids in a taxi and travelling with kids in a rideshare.
Related: When flying with kids, what do I need to know about taking my child’s car seat?
Related: I’m moving to Australia… What do I need to know about child seats?
Related: Driving at night with kids: the do’s and don’ts
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