VTAC Application

[Linked]

What's the difference between a submission of preferences, payment and application? I saw this question on the VTAC Blog and got so confused:

http://vtacmedia.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/vtac-application-processing-fees-and-how-to-pay-them/
If I submit my preferences before 30 September but pay after that date, do I have to pay the late fee?

The late fees are applied based on the date you submit your application (i.e. preferences), not the date you pay the fee, so as long as your application is in by 5pm, 30 September, you will not be liable for the late fee.

Does that mean that we were only supposed to submit our preferences by 30 September 2011 5pm, but a payment was not required yet? Does the submission of preferences count as our application, not the payment?

[MeLucky]

Yesm the submission of preferences are the application and it must be submitted before the date otherwise a late fee will be charged. However, payment can be given at a later date, with no incurring fees.