The News: Tesla Australia & New Zealand is ending the option to outright purchase FSD Supervised ā effective April 1, 2026, it moves to subscription-only.
Why It Matters: ANZ owners who want to own FSD outright ā avoiding a recurring monthly fee ā have a hard deadline of March 31 to lock it in. Miss it, and the subscription model is your only option.
Source: @TeslaAUNZ on X
What's Actually Changing
Tesla has been selling FSD Supervised as a one-time purchase in Australia and New Zealand since the feature launched in the region via OTA in September 2025. That model is now being retired. From April 1, 2026, the only way to access FSD Supervised in ANZ is through a monthly subscription.
The numbers make this decision significant. The outright purchase price in Australia was AUD$10,100. The incoming subscription is AUD$149/month in Australia and NZD$159/month in New Zealand. At the Australian subscription rate, you'd break even with the outright purchase price in roughly 68 months ā just under six years. Owners who plan to keep their Tesla long-term and use FSD regularly have a clear financial incentive to act before the deadline.
š What Changed
| Detail | Before (Until March 31) | After (From April 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Model | Outright purchase available | Subscription only |
| AU Price | AUD$10,100 one-time | AUD$149/month |
| NZ Price | Outright purchase (NZD equivalent) | NZD$159/month |
| Post-Delivery Upgrade (HW4) | Available via Tesla app until March 31 | No longer available as outright purchase |
| FSD/EAP Transfer Program | Transfer from old vehicle to new available | Program ends permanently March 31 |
| Compatible Vehicles | HW4 Model 3 & Model Y only | HW4 Model 3 & Model Y only (unchanged) |
š¦ Owner's Action Plan
ā ļø Deadline: March 31, 2026 ā 5 days away
All actions below must be completed or initiated by end of day March 31 to lock in outright purchase pricing.
Scenario 1: You're ordering a new Tesla and want FSD outright
ā ESSENTIAL ā Act by March 31
- Go to tesla.com/en_AU (or /en_NZ) and configure your Model 3 or Model Y.
- Add FSD Supervised to your order before checkout.
- Place and confirm your order by March 31, 2026.
- Delivery can occur after March 31 ā you have until June 30, 2026 to take delivery and still honour the outright purchase.
- Keep your order confirmation email as proof of the pre-deadline purchase.
Scenario 2: You already own an HW4 Tesla and haven't purchased FSD yet
ā ESSENTIAL ā Act by March 31
- Open the Tesla app on your phone.
- Navigate to Upgrades for your vehicle.
- Purchase FSD Supervised as a post-delivery upgrade before March 31.
- Note: This option is only available if your vehicle is equipped with Hardware 4 (HW4).
Scenario 3: You have FSD or EAP on an existing Tesla and want to transfer it to a new vehicle
ā ļø ESSENTIAL ā Transfer program ends permanently March 31
- Contact Tesla directly or initiate the transfer through your Tesla account before March 31.
- You must order AND take delivery of the new vehicle before the March 31 deadline to use the transfer ā unlike new orders, there is no extended delivery window for transfers.
- This program will not be reinstated after March 31, according to Tesla.
Scenario 4: You're happy to subscribe month-to-month
ā¹ļø INFORMATIONAL ā No action required
The subscription model (AUD$149/month or NZD$159/month) will be available from April 1. You can subscribe, pause, or cancel at any time ā giving you flexibility if you only want FSD for certain periods. No action needed before March 31.
How to Check if Your Tesla Has HW4
FSD Supervised in ANZ is only compatible with Hardware 4 vehicles. To confirm your hardware version:
- In your Tesla, go to Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information.
- Look for the Autopilot computer listed ā HW4 vehicles will show Full Self-Driving Computer 4.
- Alternatively, check the Tesla app under your vehicle details.
Model 3 and Model Y vehicles produced from late 2023 onward in ANZ are generally equipped with HW4. If you're unsure, contact Tesla support before placing an order.
š° Deep Dive
This change follows a broader global pattern. Tesla has been moving international markets toward subscription-based FSD pricing, mirroring the model that has been available in North America for some time. The outright purchase option gave ANZ owners a way to lock in FSD as a permanent asset ā particularly valuable for owners who plan to hold their vehicle for many years and use the feature regularly. At AUD$10,100 versus AUD$149/month, the math clearly favours outright purchase for anyone planning more than roughly five and a half years of continuous FSD use.
The end of the FSD/EAP transfer program is arguably the more consequential detail buried in this announcement. Owners who purchased FSD on an older vehicle and were counting on transferring that entitlement to a future Tesla have a hard stop. Unlike the new-order deadline ā which allows delivery through June 30 ā the transfer program requires both order and delivery before March 31. That's a much tighter window, and Tesla has explicitly stated it will not be reinstated.
For existing HW4 owners who haven't yet pulled the trigger on FSD, the Tesla app upgrade path is the simplest route. There's no new vehicle order required ā just a software purchase through the app before the deadline. Given that FSD Supervised only arrived in ANZ via OTA in September 2025, some owners may still be evaluating whether the feature is worth the price. That evaluation window is now effectively closed for the outright purchase option.
The subscription model isn't without merit ā it lowers the barrier to entry and gives owners the flexibility to use FSD only when they want it, such as during long road trips. But for owners who are already convinced FSD adds value to their daily driving, acting before March 31 is the financially sound move. Check our FSD coverage for ongoing updates as Tesla continues to evolve the feature across global markets.
Marcus covers Tesla's software releases, FSD rollouts, and OTA changes. Background in automotive engineering. Based in Austin.
Sources verified at publish time. Spotted an inaccuracy? Email editorial@basenor.com.
