Britons make 'best job' shortlist

The winning candidate will eventually take up a six-month post as "island caretaker" exploring the land and waters around Queensland's Great Barrier Reef and earning a salary of £70,000.

The 50 people on the shortlist, whittled down from 34,000 hopefuls, include Ben Southall, a charity fundraiser from Petersfield, Hampshire; Sarah Louise Lane, a writer and photographer from Angel in north London; Holly Smale, a writer from Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire; and Douglas Stidolph, studying entrepreneurship, from Guildford, Surrey.

The Brits are up against opposition from 21 other countries, including a dance instructor, physiotherapist, chef, radio DJ, scientist and actor.

All the candidates have posted videos of why they should get the job.

When voting closes near the end of the month, Tourism Queensland will choose 10 possible caretakers, plus one lucky "wild card" with the most votes. Those 11 will then be flown out to Hamilton Island, in Australia's tropical Whitsunday Islands, for the final selection process.

In his one minute pitch, Mr Southall, 24, who has driven across Africa and ridden an ostrich, introduces himself: "Hi, I'm Ben, otherwise known as the adventurous, crazy, energetic one."

Ms Lane, 24, filmed her entry from the back of a truck in Peru. The qualified diver, who studied communications and photography at university, has travelled the world twice and says she is "perfect for the job".

In an "Ode to Oz" Ms Smale, 27, rhymed: "I'm an author, PR and journalist, have all the skills required, I need somewhere to write my book, I want to feel inspired, while Mr Stidolph, 20, who has travelled to Australia before, said he is "always living life to the full" and enjoys "telling people about things".

The successful candidate will be announced in May and will start work in July. Applicants for the job, which includes travel expenses and a 150,000 Australian dollar (£70,000) salary, were told they need a year's "relevant" experience, excellent communication skills and "a willingness to try new things".