Last minute cancellation of classic reward

[serfty]

so i can't seem to find any T&Cs which actually spells out the cancellation charges for an award booking with a partner airline.

It's difficult. Here's a guide starting at www.qantas.com.au

1. - Select FrequentFLyer from the menu Bar
2. - Scroll down to "Using Points"
3. - Select "Classic Flight Rewards"
4. - Select "Classic Flight Rewards Section"
5. - Select "Class Flight Rewards"
6. - Select "Classic Flight Reward Fees"
7. - Find "Service Fee" under "** Changes ..." and click that
8. - Look to "Cancellation Refund Fee" and read the number of points and
9. - Now Scroll to the top of that page and select "12. Redeeming Qantas Points for Rewards"
10. - Read section 12.9
11. - Now either scroll down to (or go back to the top of that page and select) "14. Redeeming Qantas Points for Classic Flight Rewards"
12. - Scroll further down to "14.9 Classic Flight Rewards (excluding Classic Flight Rewards forming part of Combined Classic Flight Reward Bookings) - tickets cancellation and refunds"
13. - See section 14.9.2 and consider that in relation to 12.9.

You can also bring up the QFF T&C's from HERE and select "Fee Schedule" and proceed from step 8 above.

Note that there is no specific mention or reference to financial penalties in all of this - that absence means there is none in the case of cancellation.