The 2024 Student Experience Survey (SES), published by the Australian Government’s Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) program, has found that Agriculture and Environmental Studies students are the most satisfied undergraduates in the country.
Across 45 study areas, 84.8% of students in Agriculture and Environmental Studies rated their overall educational experience positively — well above the national average of 76.5%.
Other strong results came from Veterinary Science (82.5%) and Rehabilitation (82.3%), while Dentistry (72.0%), Business and Management (70.8%), and Computing and Information Systems (67.3%) trailed well behind.
These results affirm what many in the sector already know: students who choose agriculture and environmental studies find their learning engaging, relevant, and rewarding.
What this means for educators and industry
For teachers, careers advisors, and industry partners, this result provides a compelling talking point — and a valuable opportunity.
Students are clearly finding purpose and enjoyment in agricultural studies. Yet, as the Beef Central article notes, the sector still faces a significant shortfall in graduates compared to available jobs. That means there’s never been a more important time to connect young people to the opportunities in food and fibre.
As Australia’s peak body for food and fibre education, PIEFA plays a central role in that connection — helping schools, tertiary institutions, and industry collaborate to make food and fibre visible in every classroom. The SES results underscore the importance of that work: when students engage with agriculture, they discover not only a fulfilling study pathway but a future-focused career.
Preparing students for an AI-enabled world
The world of work is changing fast. Agriculture and environmental studies are increasingly integrated with artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and data analytics — technologies that are transforming how we grow, process, and protect our natural resources.
However, while technology continues to evolve, human capabilities remain our competitive edge. Skills such as critical thinking, communication, creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving — all developed through quality education and hands-on learning — are essential complements to technical and digital proficiency.
Agriculture education, by its nature, builds these skills. Students learn to analyse complex systems, collaborate across disciplines, and balance innovation with sustainability. These are the very attributes Australia needs in its future workforce — not just in farms and research labs, but across science, technology, logistics, and policy.
The 2024 SES tells a clear story: agriculture and environmental education is delivering quality, satisfaction, and meaning for students. But to meet industry demand, we need more young Australians to see the sector’s potential.
PIEFA continues to work at the intersection of education, industry, and government, building pathways that inspire the next generation. From developing curriculum-aligned classroom resources to supporting teachers’ professional development and strengthening industry partnerships, PIEFA’s mission is simple — to ensure every student understands where their food and fibre come from, and why it matters.
Key Takeaways:
Agriculture and Environmental Studies achieved the highest student satisfaction of all disciplines in 2024 (84.8%).
The sector offers meaningful, future-focused careers that combine technology with human skills.
PIEFA, as the national peak body, continues to bridge the gap between education and industry to secure Australia’s skilled and resilient food and fibre future.
Sources:
QILT 2024 Student Experience Survey – National Report (qilt.edu.au)
Beef Central: Agriculture students top Australian university satisfaction survey (beefcentral.com)
