Prior to 1851 Victoria was part of New South Wales. Records before this date are contained in New South Wales sources.
Although no convicts were sent direct to Port Phillip (Melbourne) after 1851,many came to Victoria in work gangs, or as "assigned servants" to pastoralists, ticket-of-leave (freed men) or those who were referred to as "Exiles".
Exiles were prisoners in British jails who were offered free pardon if they chose to be sent to Australia.
Public Record Office of Victoria, Notification of Exiles 1844-1849
The former convict ship Success 1912 (Searcy Collection, PRG 280/1/14/109)