@ambry Hi! I just wanted to share my experience kasi almost similar tayo ng questions before. đŸ™‚
1) I was granted my research scholarship a few months before the semester was supposed to start so I had to request for it to be moved and they approved it. I believe you just have to ask. đŸ™‚
2) According to DIBP: "If you are doing a postgraduate course, such as a Masters degree, your family members can work <b class="Bold">unlimited hours once you start your study</b>." - so yes, if your initial budget allows you to bring your partner, then sabay na kayo. That's what I did and by God's grace, nakahanap ng work ang partner ko a couple of months after arriving. It was a big help in terms of the finances.
3) Self-study lang din ako for my IELTS and, if my memory serves me right, my writing task involved a process cycle of some sort but don't fret, all the information you need will be in that paragraph describing such diagram. It's just a matter of practicing talaga and check if you were able to address the task.
God bless and good luck! Cheers!