ICMS Finalist Again in Prestigious AFR Higher Education Awards 2025

ICMS has been named a finalist in the Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards 2025, standing tall among Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8) universities in the employability category. 

ICMS earned recognition for the “Employability Impacts of the Professional Mentor and Employability Framework Strategies”, competing alongside hundreds of submissions and three other finalists that are Go8 universities: University of Queensland, University of Melbourne, and University of Sydney. 

This achievement highlights ICMS’s unwavering commitment to what matters most: getting students industry-ready and career-confident before they graduate. 

A College-Wide Philosophy, Not Just a Program

Dr Stuart Wiggins, ICMS Pro Vice Chancellor (Employability), explains what sets ICMS apart: 

“This is not a one-off experiment, it is a college philosophy, aligned with our vision, backed with a strategic commitment to being the Professional Mentor for all of our students in a way that is brought to life through the ICMS Employability Framework.

“The approach is simple but powerful. It is a ‘whole-of-college’ approach where every staff member plays a part in raising a student’s level of employability. From lecturers to support staff, everyone contributes to building students’ career readiness.” 

Standing Among the Giants

The Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards honor institutions that go beyond traditional education to make a real impact on students’ careers. 

These awards are widely recognised across Australia’s universities, with nominations from all major institutions. ICMS is one of only two private institutions to be recognised. 

Being named alongside three Go8 universities is proof that ICMS punches well above its weight in the employability arena; it’s not quantity but quality that makes the difference at ICMS. 

“To be a finalist among three Go8 universities is a reflection of ICMS’s standing in the area of employability in the higher education sector in Australia,” says Dr Wiggins. 

The achievement also demonstrates consistency. ICMS was previously recognised in the 2023 AFR Higher Education Awards, showing this isn’t a flash-in-the-pan success. 

“The AFR results in 2023 and 2025 are a testament to ICMS’s consistency of effort and the maturity of its approaches,” Dr Wiggins notes, adding with determination: “We will be back, and we will win!” 

Three Decades of Employability Excellence

ICMS President and Managing Director Rowan Courtney-O’Connor puts the achievement into perspective. 

“ICMS continues to lead the way in employability. We have been passionate about employability for more than 30 years; every degree student from ICMS has long-term, meaningful impact in industry before they graduate. That’s something unique to ICMS and something to be proud of.” 

What makes ICMS different? Choice. 

“It’s important to note that ICMS doesn’t need to focus on employability within its accredited courses like most degrees in Australia. It’s our choice to do this and we choose to do it because it leads to better graduate outcomes for our students, therefore it’s a no brainer,” Courtney-O’Connor explains. 

The Numbers Don’t Lie

ICMS’s commitment to employability shows in the results: 

• 90% graduate employment rate within six months – well above the national average 

• 100% of students complete industry placements as part of their degree 

• 76% of ICMS graduates asked to stay on at their Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement company after internship 

• More than 1,000 industry partners providing real-world opportunities 

These statistics represent thousands of students who have found personal and professional success with ICMS support. 

What Makes ICMS Different?

While many universities talk about employability, ICMS builds it into everything we do: 

Industry Integration: Every degree includes mandatory industry placements, giving students hands-on experience before graduation. 

Professional Mentorship: The Professional Mentor philosophy, and Employability Framework mean students receive ongoing career guidance, and development, throughout their studies. 

Real-World Learning: Courses are designed with industry input, ensuring graduates have skills employers actually need. 

Ongoing Support: The relationship doesn’t end at graduation; ICMS maintains connections with alumni throughout their careers. 

Looking Forward

The 2025 AFR Higher Education Awards recognition reinforces ICMS’s position as Australia’s leader in industry and employability-focused education. 

ICMS continues to stand out by focusing on what matters most to students and their families: employment outcomes that set graduates up for long-term career success. 

This recognition among Australia’s top universities proves that size isn’t everything; passion, commitment, and results are what count. And in employability, ICMS continues to lead the way.