Tesla’s latest addition to the Model Y lineup is another step closer to expanding beyond China, with the new six-seat Model Y L now approved for sale in Australia.
Tesla first launched the Model Y L in China last year, adding a convenient six-seat layout that built upon the standard five-seat configuration, but offered a more practical seating layout compared to the cramped 7-seat option. Tesla was able to achieve this by extending the wheelbase and also updating the configuration to a 2+2+2 seating layout with two captain’s chairs in the second row, and a bench for third row seating.
The Model Y L has proved popular in China, with calls from fans to bring it to North America. While CEO Elon Musk said its expansion to Canada and the United States would only come towards the end of 2026 (and maybe never depending on the development of FSD), the company appears ready to bring it to Australia, and likely soon.
According to newly published approval documents on ROVER, the official Australian government portal for managing applications and approvals under the Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) legislation, the Tesla Model Y L has officially been approved for sale down under. The listing appears under variant code YL5NDB, confirming the vehicle has cleared regulatory hurdles and can now be offered to customers.
The regulatory documents reveal that the Model Y L measures 4,969 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,668 mm in height. The most notable change is its extended 3,040 mm wheelbase, which enables the addition of the third row while improving second-row legroom.
Towing capability is also included, with a maximum braked towing capacity of 1,588 kg (3,500 lbs) and 750 kg (1,653 lbs) for unbraked trailers, aligning closely with existing Model Y specifications.
While Tesla has not yet announced an official launch date or pricing, regulatory approval is typically one of the final steps before orders open, so Australian customers may not have to wait much longer to see the Model Y L appear in the configurator.
Australia isn’t the only country Tesla is preparing to expand the Model Y L into. As we reported late last year, Europe is also waiting for its arrival after EU type-approval documents were uncovered suggesting the vehicle could launch as soon as Q1 2026.
