Tesla pulls the plug on lifetime FSD purchases in Australia

Tesla is changing how Australians pay for its most advanced driver assistance software, confirming that Full Self Driving Supervised will soon be available only as a subscription.

From 1 April 2026, buyers ordering a new Tesla in Australia or New Zealand will no longer be able to purchase FSD outright for the life of the vehicle. Instead, access to the software will shift entirely to a monthly subscription model.

For years, Australian customers could add FSD at purchase for $10,100. That option is about to disappear.

▶️MORE: Tesla’s FSD Supervised Quietly Clocks 10 Billion Kilometres Worldwide

What happens before the deadline

There is still a small window for existing owners.

Drivers of Hardware 4 equipped Teslas can purchase FSD Supervised outright via the Tesla app until 31 March 2026, provided their vehicle is eligible. After that date, the lifetime purchase option will be removed entirely from the local configurator and in-app upgrades.

Tesla has also confirmed that transfers of Enhanced Autopilot and FSD Supervised between vehicles will end on the same date. Owners will no longer be able to carry the software across to a new Tesla in future purchases.

The shift follows comments from Tesla CEO Elon Musk earlier this year, when he said the company would stop selling FSD as a permanent unlock and move to subscriptions globally. While that announcement initially applied to the United States, Australia and New Zealand are now formally aligned with the same approach.

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Why Tesla is betting on subscriptions

Tesla introduced FSD Supervised to Australia and New Zealand in September 2025, making them the first right-hand-drive markets globally to receive the technology. The rollout marked a major milestone for the company, especially given the complexity of adapting autonomous systems to local road conditions and signage.

Soon after launch, Tesla added a $149 per month subscription, dramatically lowering the entry cost for owners curious about the software but hesitant to spend five figures upfront.

That pricing shift has paid off. Tesla says FSD Supervised has already been used for more than one million kilometres across Australia and New Zealand, suggesting strong early adoption among eligible Hardware 4 vehicles.

It is important to note that older Hardware 3 vehicles do not support the supervised version locally, meaning those owners are excluded from both the subscription and outright purchase options.

For Tesla, the subscription model provides recurring revenue and encourages more drivers to sample the software. For customers, it lowers the barrier to entry but removes the ability to lock in long-term ownership value.

What this means for Australian buyers

The move changes the financial equation by removing a significant price barrier.

Buyers who previously factored FSD into resale value or long-term ownership plans will now need to think in monthly terms. A subscription can be switched on or off as needed, which may appeal to drivers who want advanced driver assistance only during road-trip seasons or heavy commuting periods.

At the same time, Tesla continues to position autonomy as central to its future strategy. As the software evolves, subscription flexibility could make upgrades more dynamic and responsive to regulatory changes in Australia.

The big question for 2026 will be uptake. With subscriptions becoming the only pathway, Tesla will be watching closely to see how many Australian owners opt in long term.