Passenger lists .... not the easiest to find for 1825 or 26 or 27 to NSW, and if arriving as a soldier .... or a supercargo or steerage.... likely you were not even named on any official document ... ... IF transported, you were well documented on convict indents. Even if you came as a cabin passenger you may be Mr A. SURNAME, but no native place, often only an initial for given name....
From around 1828, NSW government admin started to keep better details on passengers arriving, as more land was surveyed, and thus able to be settled ....
NSW 1828 census should have status GS for Government Servant still serving a sentence, or FS if free by servitude .... or CF if came free (whether as garrison or of own accord passenger) or BC if birn in the colony...
Trove newspapers will have names of ships arriving VDL and NSW ... 1828 census with have ships of arrival for all not born in colony
From about 1818, ships transporting female convicts did not carry male convicts on same voyage, but all convict ships had garrison troops on board, you only learn name of sailor or garrison personnel IF they are found to have onboard relationship with female convict .... with or without consent of female, and only if it becomes public knowledge ... e.g. sailor jumps ship to stay with his lass....
JM
