Having an IFR rating, or at least a very good grounding in the skills, could well be the thing that saves your life in Darwin, see
aros's post, a 210 was lost (fatal to all on board - see link) some years ago when the driver backed himself into a corner and didn't have the skills. Depending who you land a job with progression to a twin can occur rather quickly and require an IFR rating.
https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/436124...-063_final.pdf
More recently a 210 broke up in flight due thunderstorm turbulence just a few minutes after take off from Darwin.
https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/577587...-102_final.pdf