That rather chimes with my previous experience. Followed all the rules and then essentially was told you didn't have to do all of this.
My bitch about online apps was re: applying for an EPEC. The site would not let me input my data, because shock horror despite being qualified for an EPEC I was not a graduate. No graduate? No get past page 1. End of.
I took 3 months trying to convince MOM that their spiffy new site did not work, and that I was very qualified by having been a skilled migrant to three countries ('enter details on page 2'). They just were unable to comprehend the situation, or that their site did not function correctly.
In the end I had to deal directly with the SG embassy and the Contact Singapore guy in London and have them personally intervene. Simply to file that 'streamlined and efficient' online application took at least 4 months...
