I May be wrong pero eto pagkakaintindi ko po.
<blockquote rel="kayenzky">
1.) what does "frontload/ing" mean?
</blockquote>
Eto ata ung upload mo na ung mga required documents based un sa Immi Account bago pa man magkaroon ng case officer. Pol clearance, NBI, Medical, Birth Cert, Passport, Diploma, Transcript, IELTS and anything to support your apps. Nabasa ko before na may max number of docs ata na pwedeng upload (if i remember it right mga 60 not so sure pero most likely pag isang buong pamilya kayo with kids like me bale 7 kami sa apps)
<blockquote rel="kayenzky">
2.) how to have direct grant? or factors that can result to a direct grant.
</blockquote>
Well base din sa pagkakaintindi ko is if you have uploaded ung mga required docs even before ma-assign ung case officer, yung chance to have direct grant is higher...though there is no guarantee ata...
hope this help...