Student Satisfaction in Australian Agriculture VET: Quality Indicator or Incomplete Picture?

Abstract

The increasing technological complexity of Agriculture 4.0 has intensified demand for a skilled and adaptable agricultural workforce. While Vocational Education and Training (VET) is positioned as a key mechanism for workforce development, the extent to which Agriculture Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) delivers quality outcomes remains unclear. This study evaluates whether student satisfaction provides a meaningful indicator of ATVET quality. NCVER Student Outcomes Survey unit record files from 2020-2024 were merged (N = 746,678 records), yielding an analytic sample of 587,389 valid responses after exclusion of partial and non-responses. Satisfaction outcomes were compared between agriculture and non-agriculture programs across teaching, assessment, resources, and support services. Chi-square tests and Cramer’s V were used to assess statistical significance and effect size. Agriculture students reported consistently higher satisfaction than non-agriculture students (e.g., 93.8% vs 90.4% for completers), although effect sizes were negligible (φc < 0.02). Satisfaction was lowest for student support services and varied minimally across demographic and institutional factors. Workplace learning was associated with higher satisfaction, with a moderate association observed between workplace learning participation and student satisfaction. ATVET operates within a broader agricultural learning system incorporating workplace learning and industry-based knowledge exchange. Greater integration between formal training and extension-based environments is required, particularly in workplace learning and support services. Student satisfaction reflects the process dimension of VET quality but does not adequately capture training effectiveness or workforce readiness. This study provides one of the largest empirical evaluations of ATVET quality in Australia and situates satisfaction within agricultural education and extension systems.