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Tesla’s FSDS is a big hit in Australia, with lots of video clips being posted online. Even the normally EV sceptical (and anti-Tesla) media is praising its abilities. But, what about the all-important regional areas, with poor roads, intermittent internet access, and very long distances?
Laurel and Arthur Hunt with 2026 Tesla Model 3 LR overlooking Keppel Bay, Queensland Central Coast. Photo courtesy Arthur Hunt.
A google search reveals: “Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) (FSDS) launched in Australia and New Zealand in late 2025, generating significant media buzz, with reports highlighting its advanced city-driving capabilities in Sydney and Melbourne but also noting driver supervision is mandatory and issues like speed limit misinterpretations still occur, leading to mixed owner feedback and ongoing development for older vehicles. Media coverage emphasizes FSDS’s ability to handle complex manoeuvres, positioning it as a major step in right-hand-drive markets, though it’s a costly add-on and requires constant driver attention.”
The Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) coverage emphasized the need to be vigilant and aware of the different rules in different Australian states. Note that Australia and New Zealand are ahead of the UK and other RHD markets in the rollout of FSDS.
On a personal note, Arthur Hunt of Rockhampton (a 6-hour drive north of Brisbane) rang me the other day, all excited. He purchased FSDS for his Model 3 years ago and was keen to use it when it became available for cars with hardware 3. Tesla Brisbane made him an offer he couldn’t refuse, so he has now upgraded to a Model 3 with hardware 4 and transferred his FSDS across.
Although there are more experienced Tesla owners, Arthur has been a champion for electric vehicles in the central Queensland coast region, authoring more than 100 EV Diary articles for Central Queensland Today. Here’s a sample.
FSDS suits male and female drivers of all ages. Photo courtesy Arthur Hunt.
Arthur told me via a follow up email:
“I am impressed by FSDS in these ways:
Precision — the car keeps in its lane without any uncertainty;Caution — the car slows for awkward bends and when negotiating roundabouts. It slows for speed humps.The car turns onto divided roads safely even without traffic lights.It feels incredibly safe — more than we felt using old Autopilot.It is a much more relaxed way to drive both in town and on highway.It should make older drivers safer and they should be a target market.Easy to pause FSDS to change route and then resume with one button press.The longer range and matrix headlights on the new car are a bonus.”
Writing to his large group of followers, he told them in his newsletter:
“My wife and I have taken delivery of our new 2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range. Our 2020 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus was still performing well after 110,000 km but the new model has some distinct advantages:
a larger 85 kWh battery that provides a nominal range of 750 km,
Full Self Driving (Supervised) (FSD),
matrix headlights that will avoid dazzling oncoming cars while on high beam,
improved suspension and noise reduction,
rear trunk door that opens and closes at the touch of a button,
induction phone charging,
rear seat entertainment screen,
ventilated front seats.
“The new car was delivered to Rockhampton by truck at no extra cost and it was handed over during a phone call with the Tesla delivery team. The FSDS software and many of the settings in our previous car were transferred to the new car. The drive home was a little strange as there is now no gear selection stalk on the right of the steering wheel. Forward. Reverse and Park are now selected by sliding a finger up or down the right edge of the display screen.
“When our car is in Park, FSD is activated after entering a destination into the Navigation system and pressing a button on the steering wheel. The car then starts moving without further driver input. So far, we have made only short urban trips using FSD, but it has shown that it can handle turning at intersections, changing lanes, responding to traffic lights and negotiating roundabouts safely. In a recent Facebook post, an FSDS advocate pointed out that with eight cameras scanning 360 degrees many times per second and a complete lack of distraction, cars equipped with FSDS will make our roads much safer. My wife loves it and uses it on a daily basis.”
Tesla screen showing FSDS Photo Arthur Hunt
Arthur does tell me of one glitch: “We drove to Rocky and back today. One problem was the car not reading a 100 speed sign and reluctant to go over 80.” Using the accelerator, he was able to nudge the car to a higher speed until a new speed sign appeared. He hasn’t had time to travel long distance yet, but has made a number of 50 km trips. “The car feels equally safe on urban streets at 50 km/h and highways at 100 km/h.”
For those who might quibble about only being useful in town, Phil Blank, a member of our coffee and EVs group, tells me: “I now have FSDS — it is great. The car just drove from Rockhampton to Townsville no real dramas. Just great!” This would have been mainly highway driving with a few towns in between, a distance of over 700 km.
There have been lots of discussions on the Tesla Owners Australia Facebook page. Here are some samples:
This driver has been using FSDS for the past 3 days and states: “FSDS in Australia is beyond amazing. It’s better than 50% of drivers on the road with no distinguishable performance day and night. I can’t put it in a situation where it fails yet. I’m a believer (3 teslas later) and was so sceptical but absolutely gobsmacked. When Tesla eventually delivers like now it’s satisfying.”
You can watch the video here.
Another — who found Enhanced Autopilot disappointing — says of FSDS, “we just need to stay alert until it doesn’t need us anymore … and that day isn’t far off. Been using my FSDS for a week now. I was skeptical after enhanced autopilot that absolutely sucks. Suitably impressed — does FSDS make mistakes, ABSOLUTELY. Can you trust it — yes, but you have to pay attention. Think of it as a young careful driver trying really hard to impress you but you still need to keep your eye on him/her. Is it better than a human — I have been driving for 40 years in every condition in many countries and my verdict is: yes it is but under supervision. It keeps to the speed limit, it’s never fatigued, never distracted, never intoxicated, never flustered by other drivers, so without any doubt it’s here to stay and it’s the future of driving. We just need to stay alert until it doesn’t need us anymore … and that day isn’t far off.”
And more: “Living in the suburbs out of capital cities I find it isn’t as great as it is in the city. No white lines. No traffic lights.”
“I can’t believe with all the nanny laws in the country they have passed supervised FSD. Hopefully it all goes well and robotaxi comes as well.”
Some feel it is just a gimmick designed to boost sales.
It’s still learning. It will continue to improve. Humans are hopeless drivers, all of them. None of us can check 36 directions at once, every second of every drive.
“Not all drivers are hopeless, but a very significant percentage are. Then throw in distractions, fatigue, phones, prescription and non-prescription medications, illegal drugs, alcohol, medical conditions and more.”
“Well over a million and a quarter people are killed each year on the roads and probably the same number again are seriously injured. The vast majority of this is human error. I can see that many kids born today will never learn to drive. Yes, there will always be classic cars on the roads, but driving one will mean you’ll eventually pay way more to insure it.”
“I hear what you’re saying but having to drive on roads with the family with people having too much faith in this technology is concerning (until I am proven wrong). I guess time will tell but the reports out of the US suggest they are rushing the technology out for commercial gain at the cost of human lives.”
And on a practical note: “What do we do with our hands? Like where am I gunna put them?” Well, there’s an after-market opportunity for someone.
Just as the growth of EVs is having an effect on fuel suppliers and maintenance workshops, the growth of autonomous vehicles will have a knock on effect on panel beating shops and spare parts suppliers. Remember it is not just Tesla that is chasing AV driving. Looks like Australia’s driving future is bright, electric, and autonomous.
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