SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Tesla has announced a delay in its decision to eliminate the outright purchase option for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in Australia. Initially slated for February 14, 2026, the deadline has now been extended to March 31, 2026, for Australian customers.
Shift to Subscription Model
The electric vehicle manufacturer had previously declared its intention to move to a subscription-only model for FSD, a change that was announced last month. Under the new structure, customers will be required to pay a monthly fee to access the advanced driver-assistance system. Existing owners who have already purchased the FSD suite outright will not be subject to the new subscription requirement.
Reasoning for Australian Extension
Industry observers suggest that the postponement in Australia is likely linked to the relatively short period the FSD suite has been available in the country. Unlike North America, where FSD has been an option for several years, it was only launched in Australia last year.
Global Availability of FSD
Full Self-Driving is currently accessible in seven countries: the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. Tesla has been actively working on expanding its availability to Europe, with hopes of launching the suite in the region by the end of the current year.
North America Deadline Looms
In North America, the transition to the subscription-only model remains on schedule, with customers having just one more day, February 14, 2026, to purchase the FSD suite outright. While Tesla anticipates that the price of the software will increase as its capabilities evolve, there have been no specific announcements regarding future pricing or the exact nature of upcoming offerings.
