We used a joint Lloyds account for our UK income and investments for a few years but in hindsight should have set up a WISE account each prior to leaving the UK. With mine receiving my last few months of my Army pay and then my AFPS75 pension directly.  Wise consistently has the best exchange rates, lowest currency transfer fees, the ability to set up multiple currencies within one account. Use just one visa or master-card to make payments in any currency you manage. Don’t feel you need to be loyal to your UK banks. Spare yourself the lengthy pain of changing your pension payments with Equiniti once they have started.

Promos can change but using the Wise link provided you get a free transfer or free physical card at time of writing.

WISE features that will benefit you include using the physical or digital card on your journey here including layover. Immediately on arrival to Australia, at all the easy to reach holiday destinations from Australia without ATM fees, Google Pay (tap) transaction fees or other hidden bank charges. You can do online purchases for UK family Christmas gifts and cards.  We have used it in Dubai, New Zealand, Singapore, Bali, Thailand and Vietnam without losing a single dollar in fees.

Give your Australian WISE account details to your unit pay clerk and receive your ADF pay into it from day 1.

However, if you wish to keep your UK account for your pension or other income/outgoings you can still transfer money from there to WISE and through WISE to your Australian bank account at the best rate and lowest fee available.