Dear Canady
first let me wish u all the best.
yes now the rules and process style completely changed from this year.
in my case first I sent my application to NS Sydney after 2 month I received AOR from CIO, in which they asked me to send complete documents for full and final review to VO newdelhi, full documents means IELTS, PCC, POF, SALARY RECEIPTS ETC ETC, and they gave me 120 days to submit all documents.
i sent documents after 110 days, just before expiry. exactly after 2 months of receiving my file in New delhi VO they sent me Medical request asking to send landing fee and passports.
it took 4 weeks for them to stamp visa and send back to me by post. in all it took me 8 months that is also becoz i used full period both while sending file and passports.
My case was really fast and some of my freinds got it after 15 months as well, as they VO raised some objections.
anyways that's the process I had in my case. hope and wish u all go in same smooth way as me.
Cheers
FMA