What was the primary objective of missions established in Australia?

The primary objective of missions established in Australia was to convert Aboriginal people to Christianity. During the 19th century, many Christian denominations established missions with the intent of spreading their religious beliefs among Indigenous populations. This movement was influenced by a broader narrative of colonialism, which often framed the conversion to Christianity as a method of "civilizing" Indigenous peoples. Missionaries aimed to integrate Aboriginal populations into European culture through religious instruction and practices.

While education, healthcare, and cultural promotion were aspects of some missions, they were often secondary to the overarching goal of conversion. The missions often operated under the assumption that Christianity would lead to a better quality of life for Aboriginal people, which was deeply tied to the colonial mindset of that era.