KEY POINTS:
Time is almost up for those wanting to apply for "the best job in the world".
Last month Tourism Queensland put out a call for someone to be the island caretaker of the Great Barrier Reef.
The successful applicant will be required to spend six months on Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, where they will have to explore neighbouring islands - by way of diving, snorkelling and sampling luxury spa treatment - before reporting back on their experiences.
Other duties include collecting the mail, taking the odd stray leaf out of the swimming pool and feeding fish.
If the holiday-sounding job was not enough to lure applicants, a healthy pay packet of A$150,000 ($188,000) for the six-month contract job was placed to entice punters.
More than 9000 applications have been received from as far away as Mongolia and the Vatican City in Rome.
However, Kiwi applicants are still being encouraged to send in their video applications, after only 50 were received from New Zealand.
Regional director for Tourism Queensland Graeme Manson said he was surprised at the low number of submissions from New Zealand, given the great opportunity.
"It's just Kiwi reluctance. I put it down to: 'Oh, I'd probably never get a show.' But it's all about someone who stands out - they're the one who will get the job."
Applicants are asked to create a creative and funny 60-second video stating why they think they are the best person for the job.
Mr Manson said one applicant from New Zealand was guaranteed a place in the final selection group.
Eleven candidates will be interviewed between May 3 to May 7.
Mr Manson said although the job was a marketing and PR campaign, it was still a position needing to be filled and if candidates did not meet the criteria they would not be considered.
