> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theaidirectory.com.au/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Perplexity Deep Research goes Opus-class — Claude Opus 4.6 lands for Pro and Max in 2026 - URL: https://www.theaidirectory.com.au/news-perplexity-deep-research-opus-australia/ - Published: 2026-02-12T23:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-09T06:46:12.000Z - Description: Perplexity's Deep Research now runs on a Claude Opus model for the first time — Opus 4.5 from 6 February, upgraded to Opus 4.6 on the 13th. Here's what the Opus-class jump means for Australian Pro and Max subscribers. - Author: Adam - Tags: News, AI Assistants & Chatbots, Perplexity, #news *Pricing figures updated 6 September 2026: USD prices are converted at the current rate (1 USD ≈ 1.40 AUD, verified 5 September 2026) and shown ex-GST, replacing the retired 1.55 + GST basis. A GST-registered Australian business that supplies its ABN is not charged GST on an imported digital service; other buyers should allow \~10% on top (*[*Methodology*](https://www.theaidirectory.com.au/methodology/)*).* **Posted:** 13 February 2026 · **Category:** AI Assistants --- Deep Research has been Perplexity's heavy-lifting feature — the one that runs many searches and reasons over them to build a report. This week it got a much stronger engine. ## What changed On 6 February 2026, Perplexity integrated **Claude Opus 4.5** into Deep Research for Pro and Max subscribers. It was the first time an Opus-class model — Anthropic's most capable tier — had powered the feature. A week later, on 13 February 2026, Perplexity upgraded that integration again to **Claude Opus 4.6**, citing improved benchmark performance over 4.5\. So in seven days, Deep Research went from no Opus model to the newest one. The practical effect: when you run a Deep Research query, the reasoning and synthesis behind your report now run on a top-tier Anthropic model rather than a lighter one. ## What it means for Australians If you pay for Perplexity Pro or Max in Australia, this lands automatically — no setting to flip. The kind of task that benefits is the one Deep Research is built for: scoping a market, pulling together regulatory background, summarising a competitor set, or drafting the skeleton of a report before you refine it. A stronger reasoning model should mean tighter synthesis and fewer thin or padded sections. That said, it does not remove the need to check the work. Deep Research still pulls from the open web, so verify any figure, date, or claim against a primary source before you rely on it — especially anything touching Australian pricing, law, or compliance. One billing note for AU readers. Perplexity Pro and Max are billed in **US dollars**. Pro runs at US$20/month (roughly **A$28 per month ex-GST** at about 1.40 to the dollar), and an international card surcharge may apply on top. Check the current figure at checkout, since USD pricing converts differently month to month. ## Does it change our recommendation Not on its own — but it strengthens the case for the paid tiers. The free Perplexity experience is unchanged; this upgrade sits inside Pro and Max. For Australians who already lean on Deep Research for first-draft research, an Opus-class engine is a genuine step up and makes the subscription easier to justify. We score on value, ease of use, feature depth, Australian fit, and reliability — see our [methodology](https://www.theaidirectory.com.au/methodology/). We'll factor the Opus 4.6 upgrade into the next full Perplexity assessment and test the new Deep Research output directly. For now: if you held off on Pro, this is a reason to take another look. ## Frequently asked questions ### What changed? Perplexity integrated Claude Opus 4.5 into Deep Research for Pro and Max subscribers on 6 February 2026 — the first Opus-class model to power the feature — then upgraded to Claude Opus 4.6 on 13 February. Deep Research's reasoning now runs on a top-tier Anthropic model. ### Does this affect Australian pricing or users? For Pro and Max users in Australia it lands automatically, no setting to flip. Billing stays in USD — Pro runs at US$20/month, roughly A$28 ex-GST at about 1.40, plus a possible international card surcharge. The free experience is unchanged. ### Does it change our recommendation? Not on its own, but it strengthens the case for the paid tiers. For Australians who already lean on Deep Research, an Opus-class engine is a genuine step up. Still verify any figure, date or claim against a primary source. ## Sources - **Primary —** Perplexity, *What we shipped — February 13, 2026* (changelog). https://www.perplexity.ai/changelog/what-we-shipped---february-13-2026 · checked 13 February 2026 - **Primary —** Anthropic, *Claude Opus 4.6* (announcement). https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-opus-4-6 · checked 13 February 2026 Wayback snapshot queued (SPN capture pending). --- --- *The AI Directory Australia is independent. We review and score AI tools for Australian users — AUD pricing, AU availability, data residency, GST. We don't write ads; affiliate links are disclosed and sponsored content is labelled. Edited by Adam.*