Tourism Australia Announces Finalists For "Best Jobs In The World"

SYDNEY, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the 18 finalists for Tourism Australia's 'Best Jobs in the World' – three for each of the six dream jobs – were announced, including five applicants in the U.S., who will travel Down Under next month to undergo the final stage of the global competition.

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Leading with the most finalists of any participating country, the five United States finalists are:

• Nick Tilley, St. Louis, MO – Wildlife Caretaker (South Australia)
• Brittany Macleod, Franklin, MA – Chief Funster (New South Wales)
• Andrew Smith, Costa Mesa, CA – Chief Funster (New South Wales)
• Rebecca Morris, Boston, MA – Taste Master (Western Australia)
• Graham Freeman, Rancho Cucamonga, CA  – Outback Adventurer (Northern Territory)

Representing 12 countries, "Best Jobs" finalists will face challenges set by the states and territories, including creating content for inspiring tourism videos, writing blogs of their Australian travel experiences and handling the pressure of an impromptu media conference.

"After six weeks, 620,000 applications by 330,000 individuals from 196 countries, 46,000 video entries and thousands of supporting references from some of the most famous celebrities in the world we are down to the final 18," said Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy.

"It's show time. The candidates now face their very own Australian working holiday - a week of tests and challenges which will ultimately decide who ends up winning these six dream jobs," added McEvoy

The five U.S. finalists were selected based on their original 30 second video entry and their success in securing high-profile endorsement in support of their application among a group of 150 finalists.

The 18 candidates come from 12 different countries:  United States (5), England (2), France (2), Afghanistan (1), Belgium (1), Brazil (1), Canada (1), Germany (1), Hong Kong (1), Ireland (1), Scotland (1) and Taiwan (1).

Flown to and around Australia by Virgin Australia, the finalists will spend a week undergoing a series of challenges relevant to their chosen job. The six winners will be officially announced in Sydney on June 21.

Tourism Australia's 'Best Jobs in the World' competition is part of a major international marketing push to promote tourism opportunities provided by Australia's Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program.

The six 'best jobs' are: Wildlife Caretaker (South Australia), Chief Funster (New South Wales), Park Ranger (Queensland), Taste Master (Western Australia), Outback Adventurer (Northern Territory) and Lifestyle Photographer (Melbourne, Victoria).

The campaign is supported by Destination NSW, Tourism NT, Tourism Victoria, Tourism Western Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland and South Australian Tourism Commission.

In addition a number of key commercial partners are supporting the campaign, including Virgin Australia, STA Travel, Citibank, DELL, IKEA, Sony Music and Monster.com.

Fast facts: 'Best Jobs in the World'

• 6 dream jobs
• 18 finalists from 12 countries
• 620,000 entries submitted by 330,000 people from 196 countries
• 46,000 videos

For a full list of finalists, downloadable print and broadcast campaign materials visit the following link –

http://medianet.multimediarelease.com.au/bundles/199f65c8-6e27-4b28-9651-eef8f9595a8a

SOURCE Tourism Australia