Taking children for a ride requires careful thought and planning for their safety.

Don’t think that your pillion will know what is expected of them. Before you take off explain that you need them to relax, hold onto the grab rail or your waist, and to follow your lead when you lean into a corner. On the links page there a number or articles related to riding with pillions.

One of the most important things when riding a motorbike is being visible to other motorists.

Motorcycle Riders Association of Australia state that there is no minimum age requirement for being a pillion passenger.  They state that the requirements are:

'A pillion passenger must be able to sit on the seat and both feet must be able to rest comfortably on the foot pegs'

However, an age requirement is in force in some states.  Please note:  The below information may not be current and you are advised to contact the relevant department in your state of residence.

ACT Minimum Pillion Passenger Age or Requirements
Australian Capital Territory pillion passenger information is available in the ACT Motorcycle Riders' Handbook here.

Any passenger carried on a motorcycle (not in a sidecar) must:

• Sit astride the motorcycle pillion seat facing forward.
• Keep both feet on the footrests designed for use by the pillion passenger.
• Wear a correctly fitted and securely fastened approved motorcycle helmet.
• Not interfere with the rider’s control of the motorcycle.
• A motorcycle rider must not ride with more than one passenger (excluding sidecar passengers) the motorcycle.

Passengers carried in a sidecar must:

• Wear a correctly fitted and securely fastened approved motorcycle helmet.
• Remain safely seated.
• The motorcycle rider must not ride with more passengers than the sidecar is designed to carry.

NOTE: Legislation being developed in 2009 will require that in future, the rider of a motorbike must not ride with a pillion passenger under 8 years old. Passengers under 8 years of age may be carried in a sidecar. Riders intending to carry children as passengers should check with anberra
Connect on 13 22 81 to confirm whether this law has been implemented in the ACT.

NSW Minimum Pillion Passenger Age or Requirements
New South Wales pillion passenger information are found in the RTA Motorcycle Riders Handbook here. 

Any passenger carried on a motorcycle (not in a sidecar) must:

• Sit astride the motorcycle pillion seat facing forward.
• Keep both feet on the footrests designed for use by the pillion passenger.
• Wear a correctly fitted and securely fastened approved motorcycle helmet.
• Be eight years of age or older.
• Not interfere with the riders control of the motorcycle.

Passengers carried in a sidecar must:

• Wear a correctly fitted and securely fastened approved motorcycle helmet.
• Remain safely seated.
• The motorcycle rider must not ride with more passengers than the sidecar is designed to carry.
• Children under eight are allowed to travel in a sidecar.

NT Minimum Pillion Passenger Age or Requirements
Northern Territory pillion passenger information from NT Department of Planning & Infrastructure is available here.

• Only one pillion passenger may be carried and then only if the bike is fi tted with proper footrests and seating.
• Pillion passengers must always sit astride the seat facing forwards and with both feet on the footrests.
• Both the rider and passenger are responsible for ensuring the passenger wears an approved helmet.

QLD Minimum Pillion Passenger Age or Requirements
Queensland pillion passenger information from Queensland Transport is available here .

If you want to carry a pillion passenger:

• The pillion passenger must be eight years of age or older (except if seated in a side car).
• Your motorcycle must be dual-seat registered, and your motorcycle must have passenger foot rests.
• You must have held your current provisional or open motorcycle licence for that size motorcycle for at least one year.
• Your passenger must be seated safely on a pillion or passenger seat, or in a side car attached to the motorcycle.
• A pillion passenger on a moving motorcycle must sit astride the pillion seat and face forward with their feet on the passenger footrests.
• A passenger must not interfere with the rider’s effective control of the motorcycle.
• You must not carry more passengers on the motorcycle than it was designed to carry.
• Passengers must wear an approved motorcycle helmet securely fitted and fastened on the head.
  

SA Minimum Pillion Passenger Age or Requirements
South Australia pillion passenger information from Transport SA is available here.

If you want to carry a pillion passenger:

• Only one pillion passenger may be carried and then only if the bike is fitted with proper footrests and seating.
• Pillion passengers must always sit astride the seat facing forwards and with both feet on the footrests.
• Both the rider and passenger are responsible for ensuring the passenger wears an approved helmet.
  

TAS Minimum Pillion Passenger Age or Requirements
Tasmanian pillion passenger information is available here .

• No pillion passengers under eight years old. A child under eight years of age can't be carried as a passenger on a motorcycle, unless in a sidecar.
• Travelling in a sidecar. When a sidecar is used, it can only carry the number of passengers for which it is designed, and the passengers must be seated.
• If you are carrying young passengers, other than in a sidecar make sure that they are at least eight years old, they can reach the foot pegs and they are wearing an approved motorcycle helmet.
  

VIC Minimum Pillion Passenger Age or Requirements
Victorian pillion passenger information from VicRoads is provided here .

Riders must not ride with:

• more than one pillion passenger.
• more passengers in a sidecar than the sidecar is designed to carry.
• an animal between the rider and the handlebars (working farmers exempt for 500 metres on a road).
• a child under 8 years old unless the passenger is in a sidecar. 

Vic Roads also provides good rider information: Guide to protective gear ,  safety tips for motorcyclists , and returning to motorcycling.

WA Minimum Pillion Passenger Age or Requirements
West Australian pillion passenger information from WA Department of Planning & Infrastructure is available here.