Australian workers can request annual leave to play Grand Theft Auto VI, but the game’s release does not create a special leave entitlement—and an employer does not have to approve a particular date automatically. Fair Work Ombudsman guidance says annual-leave timing must be agreed, and an employer may refuse a request only if the refusal is reasonable. The rules apply as they ordinarily do, regardless of the reason for the holiday.
What is the “official advice” about GTA 6 leave?
A 7 October 2026 secondary report described a Fair Work Ombudsman social post using GTA VI as a humorous way to discuss ordinary leave options. The original post and its full wording could not be verified, so its exact list of options should not be treated as confirmed. The central practical point is that there is no special government entitlement to take time off for a video-game launch: employees still use the usual workplace leave rules.
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Can you use annual leave to play GTA 6?
Yes. You can request annual leave for a recreational day off, including to play a game. Under the Fair Work Ombudsman’s annual leave guidance, annual leave is requested in advance, and the timing must be agreed between you and your employer. The applicable award, registered agreement, employment contract or workplace policy may set details such as how to make the request and how much notice to give.
The Fair Work Act 2009 says paid annual leave may be taken for a period agreed between an employee and employer, and that an employer must not unreasonably refuse an employee’s request. That means you can ask for the date you want, but approval is not guaranteed simply because the launch date matters to you. If a request is refused, the question is whether the refusal is reasonable in the circumstances.
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- This product contains a download code inside the box — no disc is included. Customer shipments will begin arriving November 12 for pre-load; game is playable starting November 19.
- Pre-order to receive the Vintage Vice City Pack.
- Grand Theft Auto VI is a single-player experience.
How much annual leave do employees get?
Fair Work Ombudsman guidance says full-time and part-time employees generally get four weeks of paid annual leave for each year of employment. Casual employees do not receive paid annual leave under the general guidance. Check the rules that apply to your job and your current leave balance before choosing dates.
What if you have no annual leave left?
You can ask your employer about unpaid leave, but the available guidance does not establish a universal right to unpaid leave for a recreational day off. Whether it can be agreed may depend on your workplace arrangement, applicable industrial instrument or employer approval. Do not assume that unpaid leave is an automatic substitute for annual leave.
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Can you use sick leave instead?
No—not as a discretionary day off for gaming. Paid sick leave is for personal illness or injury that prevents you from working. Fair Work Ombudsman’s sick and carer’s leave guidance explains when this leave applies. If you are not ill or injured and unable to work, annual leave or an agreed unpaid leave arrangement is the relevant avenue to discuss.
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- Rule the city streets in a thrilling open-world crime adventure.
- Drive luxury cars, bikes, and police vehicles in epic missions.
- Fight gang wars, escape police chases, and dominate turf battles.
- Explore a massive urban map packed with action and secrets.
- Play offline anytime — no internet required for crime fun!
How to request the day off
- Check your annual-leave balance and the leave-request process in your workplace policy, award, registered agreement or contract.
- Submit an annual-leave request for the dates you want, using your employer’s usual process and giving the required notice.
- Wait for agreement before treating the dates as approved. If the request is refused, ask for the reason and whether different dates could work.
- If you have no paid leave available, ask whether unpaid leave can be agreed rather than assuming it is an entitlement.
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