What kind of criminals were sent to the penal colony in 1788 Australia?

Answer 1

Anything that didn't attract a mandatory death sentence. The British government simply couldn't make room for all the prisoners they weren't able to legally execute. The nice notion that convicts were sent to Australia for being kind family men stealing a loaf of bread to feed their starving families is a pretty picture, but in reality transportees were a pretty rough lot, as were their guards. When it became clear some further amenities were needed in the penal colony - and prisons were still overcrowded - the British began shipping women out; these women were also a pretty rough lot, by all accounts. But people adapt, and many of the transportees married, started businesses and became productive members of the new colony.

Answer 2

Almost 60% of the convicts of the First Fleet were sentenced for petty theft of basic necessities, such as food or clothing. Many were pickpockets. Some were convicted of fraud; some were convicted of burglary of people's houses or businesses; few had committed more serious crimes such as assault. There were no murderers on board the First Fleet.

Answer 3

People on the First Fleet came from all walks of life. The convicts were made up of thieves, pick-pockets, forgers, petty criminals and ordinary people just struggling to survive and driven to steal food. Some were convicted of assault.

Murderers were not transported on the First Fleet.