Australian Government Offers Official Tips for GTA 6 Release

As Grand Theft Auto 6 approaches its November 19, 2026 release date, Australia's Fair Work Ombudsman has stepped in with official advice on how workers can legitimately secure time off to play the highly anticipated title. The government agency posted a lighthearted guide on Instagram outlining several pathways to unpaid leave, acknowledging that many Australians may find themselves without paid time remaining when the game launches.

The Fair Work Ombudsman's post presents a hypothetical scenario where an employee has exhausted their annual leave entitlements but wants November 19 off. The agency then outlines the legal options available under Australia's National Employment Standards. The post frames the decision-making process around a simple question: why do you need the time off?

The first option mentioned allows for up to two days of unpaid leave when someone in your care requires assistance due to illness or injury. The Ombudsman's post acknowledges this scenario likely won't apply to most GTA 6 enthusiasts, unless they can somehow convince their employer that the game itself qualifies as a dependent requiring their attention.

Two additional options are presented, though both come with significant practical limitations. Workers engaged in voluntary emergency management activities can request unpaid leave for community service purposes. Alternatively, Australian workers are entitled to a full year of unpaid leave upon the birth of a child—though this option would only be viable for those with a newborn arriving within the next five weeks.

The most practical solution comes as the fourth and final recommendation: simply ask your employer for the day off. Australia's employment law places no strict limit on unpaid leave requests, meaning workers can approach their employer and request additional time without needing to cite a specific reason beyond having exhausted their paid leave balance. The Ombudsman's post notes that employees don't need to explicitly state they want the day off to play GTA 6. Success with this approach ultimately depends on the employer's willingness to grant the request.

The Fair Work Ombudsman's post appears designed primarily as humorous content with viral potential, though it inadvertently provides genuine guidance for workers seeking time off. The agency's tongue-in-cheek approach highlights a real phenomenon: countless people worldwide are likely already strategizing how to secure November 19 off work. By publishing this guide, whether intentionally satirical or not, the Ombudsman may have inspired some workers to simply ask their employers directly—a straightforward solution that could prove effective for many.

GTA 6 is scheduled to release on November 19, 2026, and will be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game is being developed by Rockstar Games using their proprietary RAGE engine and is expected to carry a Mature 17+ rating.