There's another complication to this ...
Two Italian Controllers have just been jailed for permitting an IFR aircraft to change to VFR, with a resulting CFIT.
This was even after the Controller asked the PIC to confirm he could provide his own obstacle clearance.
I daresay such requests/advice may be met with a less than enthusiastic response from ATC in the future.
I know, another country, another rule book ... but it does seem topical to link Australia with International practices.