The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) says it did not create a message circulating on social media with a CIT logo that says it prioritises international students over locals.
An account named Far Fox Ache posted on X (formerly Twitter) what he purported to be a response email from the CIT to his application for a fee-free place in a cyber security course.
“As previously advised, your application … has been assessed and meets the eligibility criteria under the fee-free TAFE initiative,” the message reads.
“At this time, it is unlikely you will be offered a place due to an unexpected intake for international students for semester 1 2025 which we have been instructed by the directorate to prioritise.”
The misinformation has been viewed 60,000 times and received more than 50 replies from people who took it to be a genuine CIT email. Many expressed their outrage at both CIT and government for supposedly favouring foreigners over locals.
The fake email purports to have been sent by infoline@cit.edu.au and includes the CIT logo.
Independent MLA Thomas Emerson was tagged in on the message on X by a user and responded by saying he’d look into it.
CIT told Region the email did not come from them.
“The message copied on X (Twitter) was not created by the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT),” a spokesperson said.
“CIT does not prioritise international students over local applicants. There is no ‘unexpected intake’ by international students into the Certificate IV in Cyber Security at CIT. CIT is investigating this matter.
“There are places available in Certificate IV in Cyber Security at CIT, however there are no longer fee-free TAFE places available in this course this semester. Information about fee-free TAFE at CIT can be found at: Fee-Free TAFE : Canberra Institute of Technology.”
Riotact reached out to Far Fox Ache and requested evidence he’d received the email from CIT. He told us to do our own research and to obtain the email via a freedom of information (FOI) request. He also said he didn’t want to engage with us, as “legacy media was dying”.
“Long live X, we are the media now,” he said.
There are 600 fee-free places available for Canberrans in each semester at CIT until December 2026.
To be eligible, you must be 17 or over, an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible visa holder, live or work in the ACT and not have enrolled in the course previously.
Approved students need to pay for any learning resources, such as textbooks or other equipment required for the course.