Tesla has actually launched its FSD (Supervised) functionality in Australia and New Zealand, the first time the technology has been rolled out beyond testing in right-hand drive markets. This is an achievement for Tesla, as they encourage the use of advanced driver assistance functionality in environments with different road designs, traffic behaviors, and regulatory environments.
For existing owners of Tesla vehicles in Australia and New Zealand, it offers them a driving experience that introduces advanced technological autonomy while maintaining elements of personal responsibility in the driving interaction.
Is FSD (Supervised) Fully Self-driving?
Although its name might suggest that Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is autonomous, it is not – it’s classified as a Level 2 driver assistance feature, which always demands a fully engaged driver to be attentive and ready to take control at any moment, otherwise accidents can happen. Full Self-Driving (Supervised) can independently perform driving functions such as navigating intersections, accommodating cyclists and pedestrians, and navigating both marked and unmarked road conditions.
Tesla’s comfort with driver safety is further exemplified through the functionality of the cabin camera, which monitors the driver for attention. The FSD (Supervised) system will provide visual and auditory warnings if it detects disengagement of the driver.
FSD (Supervised) will suspend its functionality for the remainder of the trip if the driver continues to disengage, and (measured) excessive disengagement may even lock the driver out of using the technology entirely. The system is designed to encourage the technology to behave more like a support for the ease of driving interaction than to be the driving interaction itself.
🔥🔥 Tesla FSD (Supervised) is now widely available in Australia and New Zealand!
✅ Available on all AI4/HW4 Model 3 and Ys
✅ FSD package pricing:
🇦🇺 $10,100 AUD
🇳🇿 $11,400 NZD
➡️ Coming soon:
• $149 AUD monthly subscription
• Test drives at… pic.twitter.com/OO7tPHBINw— The Tesla Newswire (@TeslaNewswire) September 17, 2025
Hardware and Vehicle Requirements
The deployment is only available to the Model 3 and Model Y equipped with the latest Hardware 4 package. This hardware features upgraded cameras and processing power, which are necessary to meet the demands of Tesla’s neural network and enable real-time decision-making.
Owners who purchased the Full Self-driving Capability. Will be provided FSD (Supervised) at no charge through an over-the-air update. Others will be able to purchase the FSD (Supervised) capability directly, as long as their vehicle has the necessary hardware.
Pricing and Subscription Options
Tesla is offering two payment paths for FSD (Supervised). In Australia, the purchase price is AUD 10,100, while in New Zealand, it’s NZD 11,400. Furthermore, in recognition that not every driver will want the commitment of an ultimate purchase, Tesla is also preparing for a subscription model.
This subscription will be AUD 149 a month in Australia and NZD 159 in New Zealand. This will be available sooner than later. It provides more flexibility for drivers who want to utilize the technology without fully committing or want to merely utilize it for a certain month of the year, like a long journey or busier commuting period.
Test Drives and Showroom Demonstrations
To provide an opportunity for customers to experience the system for themselves, Tesla will be rolling out FSD-enabled vehicles for test drives at showrooms in both Australia and New Zealand. Starting this week, interested drivers will be able to see how the technology behaves with real-world conditions before purchasing or subscribing.
This will help show Tesla’s confidence that the system will be able to show improvement, like all Tesla vehicles do, once people start using it.
Benefits and Challenges
The presence of FSD (Supervised) in Australia and New Zealand represents another step toward Tesla’s long-term goal of widespread autonomous driving. This feature aims to improve driving behaviors in complex local traffic conditions, including dealing with roundabouts and unique to areas hook turns. Offering the system in such environments promotes both customer service and data collection to further advance their software.
At the same time, challenges exist. An initial upfront cost may deter some buyers. The upfront cost carries certain value considerations as it is not fully autonomous, with driver supervision required. Although the subscription model diminishes that upfront barrier, with long-term users, it still makes more sense to buy outright in the longer-term options. As such, regulators/safety advocates may be interested in understanding how drivers use the technology, including its safety potential on roads.
