- Habitat loss: The population growth and coastal development in Australia have reduced and fragmented the available habitats for these penguins.
- Introduced species: Non-native predators, such as feral cats, foxes, and rats, have significant impacts on penguin colonies, as they prey on adults, eggs, and chicks.
- Climate change: Rising sea levels lead to the erosion of nesting sites and flooding, affecting the breeding success and survival of Australian Little Penguins.
- Human disturbance: Activities like fishing, marine traffic, and tourist encounters can cause disturbance and stress to penguin colonies, disrupting their natural behavior.
- Oil spills: Oil pollution from spills or discharges from ships can result in fouling of the penguins' feathers, leading to waterproofing loss, hypothermia, and death.
- Marine debris: Entanglement in or ingestion of marine debris, including plastic waste and fishing gear, poses a significant risk to Australian Little Penguins.
- Disease and parasites: The species can be affected by diseases and parasites, such as avian malaria and feather mites, which can impact their health and survival.
- Reduced prey availability: Overfishing of small fish species (sardines, anchovies) used as food resources can reduce the prey base available to the Australian Little Penguin.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect the Australian Little Penguin and its habitat, including creating marine protected areas, managing introduced predators, reducing human disturbances, and raising public awareness about their conservation status.