My Australia Visa Application

I am sad because a friend's immigration application for Canada was denied. She spent a lot of money already for the processing fee and other requirements and yet her application was denied . This is what I am afraid of. I once applied for a Visa for Australia . I already passed the online skills assessment and reached up to level 4 of the processing. When its time to pay for the $1000 processing fee, I backed -out since I am already doubtful If I can really get the VISA. I have heard lots of frustration already regarding this and I do not want to be one of them.