Tesla FSD v14 Is Here — Does It Change the Novated Lease Equation?
Tesla's FSD Supervised v14 just dropped with big capability upgrades. Here's what Australian novated lease buyers should know before signing anything.
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software just hit version 14, and the reviews are rolling in. According to a hands-on piece from The Driven [Source 1], v14 brings noticeably smoother, more cautious low-speed driving and markedly improved automated parking — the kind of incremental-but-real progress that makes a Tesla feel like a meaningfully different car from one software update to the next.
The reviewer's headline advice is worth repeating: keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. FSD Supervised is still exactly that — supervised. It is not autonomous. Anyone treating it otherwise is taking a risk that no software update justifies.
What this means for novated lease customers
If you are considering a Tesla on a novated lease, FSD v14 is a genuine quality-of-life improvement — but it is probably not the thing that should drive your decision. The stronger case for a Tesla novated lease in Australia right now remains the FBT exemption on eligible battery electric vehicles under the Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Act, which removes fringe benefits tax on private use of qualifying BEVs when packaged through your employer. That is the policy lever that affects your actual take-home pay.
What v14 does do is reinforce that Tesla's over-the-air update model means the vehicle you lease today is not necessarily the vehicle you will be driving in 12 months. For a three-to-five year novated lease term, that is worth factoring in — your car can improve without you doing anything. It also raises the residual value conversation: technology improvements can support resale values, which matters when your lease balloon payment is calculated.
Potential savings from packaging a Tesla through a novated lease depend on your income, employer arrangement, and the specific vehicle. Use millarX's calculator or speak to our team for a number that reflects your actual situation — not a generic headline figure.
Common questions
Does FSD Supervised v14 affect the FBT exemption on my Tesla novated lease?
No. The FBT exemption for eligible battery electric vehicles is determined by vehicle type and price, not by software features. FSD v14 is irrelevant to your tax treatment.
Is FSD included when I novated-lease a Tesla in Australia?
FSD is an optional add-on that Tesla prices separately. Whether it is included in your novated lease depends on the vehicle configuration you choose and what your employer's novated lease policy allows to be packaged.
Can Tesla push software updates during my novated lease term?
Yes. Tesla delivers updates over Wi-Fi throughout the vehicle's life, including during your lease term. This is unique among mainstream manufacturers and means capability can change — for better or worse — without any action from you.
Which Tesla models currently qualify for the FBT exemption in Australia?
Eligibility is based on the vehicle being a battery electric vehicle with a GST-inclusive value at or below the luxury car tax threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles at the time of the first retail sale. Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y have commonly qualified; always confirm current thresholds with your novated lease provider before ordering.
Is a novated lease the best way to get a Tesla in Australia?
For PAYG employees whose employer participates in salary packaging, a novated lease on an eligible EV is generally one of the most tax-effective ways to finance a new vehicle. Whether it is right for your situation depends on your income, driving habits, and lease terms — worth running the numbers rather than assuming.