For departure date conditions, the rules state:
"14.6 Classic Flight Rewards - ticketing
14.6.1 Classic Flight Rewards will be valid for one year from the original ticketed departure date"
Given the above, I'm wondering why they told you your ticket is only valid for 12 months from issue date?
My ticket has been totally re-issued dated today, but you have a valid point as, even though I discussed my reasoning with the agent saying that I was intending to be away for nine months from the new departure date and she didn't advise me that I needed to return by 12 months from the original June departure date, neither did she confirm that I did in fact, have 12 months from the new departure date.
Looks like another call to Qantas for clarification coming up....
Thanks for raising the point - I'll keep you posted.