how old can a child be to sit in the front seat

In Australia, the rule of thumb is that children under 7 years old should stick to the back seat, ideally strapped into an appropriate child restraint system. Once they hit that magical age of 7, they're allowed to sit up front—but only if the back seat is all taken or the vehicle has no rear seats. Even then, it's wise to ensure the airbag is off or the child is in a booster seat, because airbags and small humans are a dangerous mix.

Basically, don’t be that parent who thinks the front seat is a playpen. For legal specifics and safety tips, check the latest road rules from your state authority or ServiceCentral.