One week after Tourism Australia announced the revival of its Best Jobs in the World Promo, the agency was deluged with 275,000 applications from 150,000 people in 196 countries, attracted no doubt by the promise of outdoors adventure and the hefty salary offer.

It is a take-off from Tourism Queensland's 2009 campaign which was won by Briton Ben Southall as tropical island caretaker in Whitsundays. As the past winner, he is the best poster boy for the promo as seen in this video.

About 38,000 U.S. residents filed expressions of interest, topping the list of nationalities by numbers of applications. It was followed by French, Britons and Italians. About 25,000 Aussies likewise applied for the six vacant posts.

Of the six open slots, wildlife caretaker in South Australia got the highest number of applicants, followed by chief funster in New South Wales, park ranger in Queensland, taste master in West Australia, outback adventurer in the Northern Territory and lifestyle photographer in Melbourne.

The interested in having a fun job and being paid for that, coupled with more than 1,000 media articles on the unique vacancy, is the reason behind the higher-than-expected number of applications received, said Tourism Australian Managing Director Andrew McEvoy.

"These six jobs represent the very best of our country . . . and judging by the number of applications, they are clearly also incredibly desirable," he said.

The agency is still accepting application at www.australia.com/bestjobs or through www.facebook.com/AustralianWorkingHoliday

Those who complete the application process will receive an email that advises the applicant to upload a 30-second video to explain why they should be selected for the position such as this one.

The deadline for submission of application is on April 10. The six lucky winners will be named on June 21. The applicants can apply for all six vacant slots but can only be chosen in one.

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