Tourism Queensland experiencing application overload during last days of ‘Best job in the World’ campaign

Tourism Queensland has been forced to increase its IT support as applications flood in during the final days of the “Best Job in the World” application process, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle announced today.

“We are currently seeing a significant spike in applications and site traffic, and we expect that this weekend will see a strain placed on our IT resources,” Ms Boyle said.

“I ask people to please be patient as the applications numbers continue to swell over the remaining days.

“We are not sure if people have been holding out to size up the quality of the opposition or whether they have just caught onto this worldwide phenomenon but we are seeing a significant increase.

“20,000 people from over 180 countries have so far applied for the role of caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef in what has become arguably the most talked-about job vacancy in the world.

“The campaign continues to generate much needed publicity for the Queensland tourism industry at a time when the international tourism industry is struggling.

“For a $1.8million campaign we have received nearly $80million in publicity.”

Ms Boyle added all applications need to be submitted by 11.59pm UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) on the 22nd of February – which was 9.59am on Monday 23 February Queensland time.

“Given the huge task ahead in short-listing down to the top 50, we aren’t able to accept applications lodged after this time and I advise those who are thinking of leaving their submission until the last minute to not do so at the risk of missing out,” Ms Boyle said.

The 50 shortlisted applicants will be announced on the 2nd March and voting for the one wildcard candidate will be held from the 2nd to the 24th of March.

In that time Tourism Queensland and its international offices will select 10 final candidates, and they and the wild card candidate will be announced on the 2nd April.

The 11 shortlisted candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island to participate in an interview selection process which will be held on a number of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, between May 3 and 6. The successful candidate will be named during a sensational final event, which will be held on luxurious Hamilton Island on May 6th.

For further information, including details on how to apply visit www.islandreefjob.com.

Further information:
Minister’s office – 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326