QR needs +200 pilots next year only to cater for the expansion planned.
Initially this ab initio pilot project started with 6-10 spots available. The amount of applications however was huge! I believe over 15 times more applications came in!
That is why they are looking now for a way to do the selection process. When these initial guys/girls will be flying and all went well then they will probably hire more ab initios.
SO does not mean you are a relief pilot on ultra long haul!
SO is an F/O in training. You will be flying on A300/A320. First you will fly with a fully qualified FO as cover for a certain number of sectors, untill the training dept is convinced you can handle all the failures.
Then you will fly again a certain amount of sectors ( +/_ 6 months) as an S/O with line training captains. After a line check you will be a FO.
So nothing to do with relief pilot like Cathay Pacific for example. You DO fly as SO. Only difference is the salary.
IN QR the in flight relief pilots are F/Os on the A330 with 1 year on the fleet and min 2500Hrs.
Good luck
PS: SO sheme does NOT require high jet hours!!!!! What would be the purpose for that? Min req as in advertisment, preferably with higher education ( why, only HE knows...)