Hello Quoll and Marisawright!
Brand new member here and not a Pom but a Yank. Myself and my wife (Australian) lodged our application for an offshore partner visa back in December, 2016. After years of waiting we finally got a reply that our application was moving forward! I just completed the medical on the 8th of this month but we are a bit worried when our visa is granted that we will be forced to enter Oz before we are ready. I noticed you said that you must enter the first time within 12 months of the medical/police check. As stated the medical was just a few days ago but my last police check was over a year ago (2017). Do you think they will start the 12 month timer based on the medical once granted?