Tesla owners in Australia and New Zealand are wasting no time putting Full Self-Driving (Supervised) to the test. The feature only went live in mid-September, but drivers have already traveled over a million kilometers in just a few days. To put it in perspective, that is equivalent to completing 67 laps around Australia or 625 journeys from Auckland to Invercargill. According to Tesla, this statistic demonstrates both interest and a high level of trust in its AI-powered system. While global usage is substantially higher, the rapid uptake in smaller right-hand-drive economies is impressive. It demonstrates how thrilled owners are to experience what may be the future of driving.
What makes this milestone special
The achievement becomes more impressive when you consider the limited availability. FSD Supervised in Australia and New Zealand only works on Hardware 4 (HW4/AI4) equipped Teslas. These models only entered the market in mid to late 2023. That means only a fraction of the fleet can even use the system, yet the one-million-kilometre mark was crossed within two weeks. Owners with older hardware, like HW3, are still waiting for access, which has caused some frustration. Still, the numbers prove how quickly new adopters are embracing the upgrade.
Daily driving with FSD
Tesla revealed that local owners are now covering 83,200 kilometres per day with FSD engaged. That equals about 51,700 miles daily across both countries. To compare, the average Australian drives about 12,100 km a year, or only 33 km per day. This means that in less than two weeks, Tesla owners collectively achieved the equivalent of 82 years of average daily driving. Clearly, owners are eager to see how the system handles highways, intersections, roundabouts, and even rural roads.
Level 2, not full autonomy
It’s important to note that FSD Supervised is not the same as a fully autonomous car. Tesla classifies it as a Level 2 driver-assistance system. Drivers must keep their eyes on the road, and the cabin camera monitors their attention. Tesla stresses that while the system can make lane changes, manage roundabouts, and enter or exit highways, it is not designed to replace the driver. Elon Musk himself has described FSD as a work in progress, constantly learning from real-world data.
Adoption driven by curiosity and trust
Why are so many people trying it out so quickly? The answer lies in both curiosity and confidence. Owners are eager to see how Tesla’s AI behaves in everyday conditions. From busy city streets to unmarked country roads, the technology is proving it can handle diverse driving environments. One Australian owner even used FSD Supervised to drive 13,577 km around the entire continent, marking what they called the first circumnavigation of a continent with Tesla’s system.
Pricing and future updates
Full Self-Driving Supervised is available as an upgrade for Model 3 and Model Y owners with HW4. Buyers can pay $10,100 AUD or $11,400 NZD for permanent access. Tesla has also confirmed plans for a subscription model at $149 AUD or $159 NZD per month, giving owners more flexibility. Meanwhile, the company is preparing to launch FSD Version 14, which Musk has described as one of the biggest updates since FSD 12. This update will continue to refine how the software responds to complex driving situations.
The rapid adoption in Australia and New Zealand shows more than just enthusiasm. It highlights the global shift towards trusting AI in daily life. In just two weeks, Tesla has gained valuable data from right-hand-drive environments, helping it refine the system further. For young drivers especially, this technology represents not just convenience but also a glimpse of how transportation may transform in the next decade.
