The two Queensland finalists for the "best job in the world" are among the top contenders to win the dream gig, according to the bookies and a talent casting director.
While interpreter Clare Wang, 30, of Taiwan is currently the bookies' stand-out leader, with odds of A$3.50 ($4.32), Queenslander James Hill is the second favourite to win the competition, at A$5.
London-based Queensland expat Mr Hill is followed closely by Brisbane's Hailey Turner, who is international betting agency PinnacleSports.com's fifth favourite to win, at A$13.
New Zealand presenter Clarke Gayford comes in at eighth, with odds of A$15.
The competition attracted 34,684 applicants as part of a A$1.7 million global marketing strategy that has already generated A$100 million-worth of publicity for Queensland.
The final 16 candidates will travel to Queensland's Hamilton Island next month to spend a week working at their dream job.
The successful candidate will be based on Hamilton Island and will spend their time exploring the islands of the Great Barrier Reef and reporting back on their experiences.
And they will score A$150,000 and free luxury digs for their trouble.
US-born and Brisbane-based international talent casting director Damien Anthony Rossi said he believed the odds on the two sunshine state finalists reflected their chances of winning.
"Hailey possesses that X factor we speak about in the industry, a very high likeability factor and a natural beauty and vibrancy that reflects that of the Great Barrier Reef," he said.
But Mr Rossi isn't discounting Mr Hill who, he said, has a very appealing nature and the experience of living and working on the reef, which would be valuable for this job.
- AAP
Aussies line up for best job in world
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