A leading private higher education provider faces a Supreme Court class action after graduates discovered their property degrees lacked professional accreditation, restricting their career progression and international qualifications. Lead plaintiff Tessa Coddington initiated the legal action against The International College of Management Sydney (ICMS) after completing a three-year Bachelor of Property (Management, Valuation and Development) degree in late 2022 at a cost of $45,000.
Class Action Targets ICMS Over Unaccredited Property Degrees
Tessa Coddington launched the Supreme Court class action after reading media reports regarding similar accreditation lawsuits filed against three public universities. Ms Coddington stated that the ordeal caused severe financial strain and career delays, leaving her unable to progress beyond an entry-level graduate role in property valuation or have her qualifications recognized overseas. Following graduation, she spent years exchanging emails with ICMS to confirm the degree’s accreditation status while employers raised concerns. Representatives initially maintained they were still seeking accreditation from the Australian Property Institute (API), which is not accused of any wrongdoing. In December, the API confirmed the degree failed to meet its standards and rejected the application. Ms Coddington enrolled in a diploma at Deakin University in March to secure the necessary credentials, forcing her to study identical subjects while managing full-time work.
Impact on International Students and Financial Burdens
Mauritian international student Yuvarassee Moothoosamy also joined the legal proceedings after experiencing similar professional setbacks. Ms Moothoosamy reported spending approximately $97,000 on tuition fees alongside tens of thousands of dollars for Sydney accommodation, requiring her parents to incur debt to finance her education. Affected students are seeking financial compensation covering personal distress, HECS debts, and the expenses associated with undertaking supplementary education.
College Defense and Regulatory Position
ICMS declined interview requests but issued a formal statement denying all allegations and confirming it will defend the class action. The institution stated that students were not materially affected by website promotional materials incorrectly claiming API accreditation, which appeared in 2024 and were removed in 2026. ICMS reported the administrative oversight to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) earlier this year and updated its platform with a disclaimer clarifying the lack of professional valuer accreditation. The college maintains that working as a property valuer in New South Wales does not legally require a degree accredited by such a body, noting that certification remains optional and that its program is recognized by the Australian Valuers Institute alongside strong graduate employment averages.
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