‘Fast Track Service’ introduced by Australia for Indian visa applicants

‘Fast Track Service’ introduced by Australia for Indian visa applicants https://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/hindi/en/article/2016/12/08/australia-introduces-fast-track-service-indian-visa-applicants
It was announced by India’s Australian High Commission that the Priority Consideration Service, or Fast Track as it is more commonly known, can now be availed by Indian visa applicants for an additional fee.
Starting the 5^th of December of this year, applicants from India who would like to apply for a Subclass 600 Visitor visa for both the Business and Tourist streams, will now be given access to an optional Priority Service or Fast Track at selected Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs).
This service has been made available at the Australia Visa Application Centres in the following locations:

• Ahmedabad
• Bangalore
• Chandigarh
• Chennai
• Cochin
• Hyderabad
• Jalandhar
• Kolkata
• Mumbai
• Mumbai North
• Mumbai South, and
• New Delhi

‘Fast Track Service’ introduced by Australia for Indian visa applicants For applicants to avail of the optional Priority Service, they have to pay an additional fee of AUD $1,000, or INR 53,100.
What is the Priority Consideration (Fast Track) Service?
The Priority Consideration Service is a premium service that will prioritize an individual’s application of the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa (Business or Tourist Stream) which is now made available to Indian visa applicants. It has a AUD 1,000 additional fee.
Most of the applications that will be done through the optional Fast Track service are going to be finalised within 48 hours from the time it was received by the Australian High Commission.
All the legal requirements set out in the migration legislation in order for a visitor visa to be granted, must be met by the applicant. This includes character, health, and security requirements.
It must be known to the applicants though, that availing of this optional service does not mean they are guaranteed that their visa application will be provided with the result within exactly 48 hours. Applicants also need to know that the fee of AUD 1,000 can no longer be refunded in the event of a delay no matter what the reason.
Who is eligible for this service?
Indian passport holders who live in India and pay the additional fee of AUD 1,000 can make use of the priority service and submit an application for the Subclass 600 Visitor visa (Business or Tourist streams) at one of the AVACs mentioned above.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection however, does not recommend this service to applicants who have known character or health issues which are probably going to need further assessment, or an immigration history which can be a disadvantage to them.
Should there be any delays in the processing, or the visa application be refused, the priority service fee will not be refunded.
How to apply for the Fast Track Service
1.) The application for the subclass 600 Visitor visa application (business or tourist stream) together with its supporting documents need to be lodged at an AVAC
Form 1419 Application for a Visitor visa – Tourist stream or
Form 1415 Application for a Visitor visa – Business Visitor stream
There are AVAC’s in the following locations:

• Ahmedabad
• Bangalore
• Chandigarh
• Chennai
• Cochin
• Hyderabad
• Jalandhar
• Kolkata
• Mumbai
• Mumbai North
• Mumbai South, and
• New Delhi

2.) A signed form 1472 – Visitor visa – Business Visitor and Tourist streams priority consideration (fast-track) service must be included in the application in order for the applicant to request the priority service and authorise the payment
Form 1472 needs to be signed to acknowledge that the terms of the priority service are clearly understood.
3.) Lodge payment for the Visa application charge amounting to AUD 135, and the priority service charge of AUD 1,000
Does the processing time of 48 hours start the moment the visa application is submitted to the AVAC?
This is usually what confuses applicants. The answer to that is NO, as the 48 hour processing time only starts when the complete visa application together with the priority service request is received by the High Commission, which is the one that processes the visa application. Generally, it is going to be 1 or more days after the submission of the visa application at the AVAC.
Is a visa guaranteed to the applicant in 48 hours? Can a request for a refund of the priority service fee be submitted if there is a delay in the results of the visa application or it is refused altogether?
No. The vast majority of applicants however, is going to receive an outcome on the application within 48 hours of the High Commission receiving a complete application, but this is not guaranteed.
All legal requirements needed in the migration legislation for the visitor visa to be granted must be met by the applicant. This includes the requirement that relevant character, health, and security requirements are also met.
There is no refund of the priority service fee if there are delays in the processing of the visa, or if it is refused.
If in case you have already submitted your request for a fast track / priority service request and an outcome still has not been given within the timeframe given, here is where you can do a follow up:
India – Log on to https://www.vfsglobal.com/Australia/India/
Telephone is +91 022 67866006 (Office hours is from 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays)
What if the scenario is that a family member living in Australia is critically ill or has just passed away, and there is an urgency to travel, does the priority service fee of AUD 1,000 need to be paid for the application to be prioritised in the processing?
Those who are applying for urgent processing under compassionate and compelling grounds don’t need to go through normal priority processing arragements, and will not be charged the priority service fee either.
Can an applicant avail of the Priority Service if the visa application is mailed in?
No. Priority Service is not available for mailed in applications.
Is the Priority Service available for all visa applications?
No, it is only available for Indians applying for the Subclass 600 Visitor visa (Business and Tourist streams), who are Indian passport holders.
What is the normal processing time for a Subclass 600 Visitor visa application lodged in India?
Processing times have changed over the years but you can check out the Australian High Commission’s website in India by logging on ti https://www.india.embassy.gov.au.