Tesla has officially rolled out its most advanced driver-assist technology, Full Self-Driving Supervised, for customers in Australia and New Zealand. It is available as a software update to eligible customers from September 18. The launch makes the two countries the first right-hand-drive markets in the world to access the system.
Who can use the FSD Supervised?
The rollout is limited to newer Tesla models fitted with the latest Hardware 4 (HW4) cameras, leaving many long-time owners waiting.
- Eligible models: Tesla Model 3 (built since September 2023) and Tesla Model Y (built since January 2024).
- Not supported: Older Teslas with Hardware 2 or 3, despite some owners paying up to $12,000 for FSD since 2017.
- No timeline yet: Tesla has not confirmed when earlier models will gain access.
Pricing and subscriptions
Customers can unlock FSD Supervised in two ways:
| Option | Cost | Notes |
| Outright purchase | $10,100 | Single payment, activated via software update |
| Subscription | $149/month | Available soon for eligible vehicles |
| Free trial | 30 days (expected) | For new buyers, details yet to be confirmed |
Tesla plans to offer test drives with FSD (Supervised) at showrooms across Australia in the coming weeks.
What can the Full Self-Driving Supervised system do?
Tesla’s FSD Supervised goes beyond earlier Autopilot features like Autosteer and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control. It can:
- Navigate curves, intersections and roundabouts
- Handle complex local manoeuvres like Melbourne’s hook turns
- Detect and respond to pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles and other vehicles
The system relies solely on Tesla Vision cameras, unlike rival brands that combine cameras with radar or LiDAR.
Safety and supervision
Despite its name, Tesla stresses that FSD (Supervised) is not fully autonomous. It is classified as a Level 2 driver assistance system under international standards.
- Drivers must remain attentive and be ready to take control at any time.
- An in-cabin camera monitors attentiveness and cannot be disabled.
- The system issues warnings for inattentiveness; after five “strikeouts,” FSD is suspended for the remainder of the trip.
- If the driver ignores all warnings, the car will activate its hazards, sound a chime, and bring itself to a safe stop.
Tesla FSD global rollout
Tesla’s driver-assistance tech has been expanding steadily across markets, though availability remains uneven worldwide.
- United States: Beta version available since 2020
- Canada and China: Rolled out after the US
- Australia and New Zealand: First right-hand-drive markets to receive it
- Europe, UK, and Japan: Testing underway, but no confirmed release
Final word
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) may not make your car fully autonomous just yet, but it’s a clear glimpse of the future arriving on Australian roads. For owners with the right hardware, it promises a smarter, more capable driving experience, even if you still need to keep your hands on the wheel. Whether it lives up to the hype will come down to how well it handles real-world Aussie roads and how patient drivers are willing to be while the technology continues to evolve.
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