Submissions for the Games in Australia were welcomed from February 6, when the first three contenders - Mark Grant, Taneale Lawton and Zuzana Harmaniakova - submitted their applications at the Gold Coast 2018 headquarters in Benowa.

More than 15,000 volunteers will be required in all for the event, which is scheduled to take place from April 4 to 15 next year.

Gold Coast 2018 chairman Peter Beattie has previously said this would be the only intake of Games volunteers.

Applicants can apply online here and must be 16 or over.

Most volunteer roles will be in the Gold Coast, with uniform, training and transport provided.

Volunteers must arrange their own accommodation during the Games, with shifts of between six and 10 hours.

"We're looking for volunteers with a wide variety of skills and experience to shape the Games for athletes, officials and spectators," a Gold Coast 2018 statement said.

"This is your last chance to apply and help shape the largest sporting event Australia will see this decade."

The Queen's Baton Relay for Gold Coast 2018 was officially launched at London’s Buckingham Palace on Monday (March 13). 

Joined by her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and their son Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, The Queen placed a special message into the Baton which will be read out at the Games' Opening Ceremony.

Proceedings were held on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace to coincide with Commonwealth Day, which this year had the theme "A peace building Commonwealth".

Triple Australian Paralympic gold medallist and Gold Coast 2018 ambassador Kurt Fearnley delivered the Baton to Buckingham Palace.