This move will mean course fees for all new apprenticeships waived, saving students roughly $2000 a course.

Head of the hairdressing department at TAFE NSW Riverina Institute Tania Cavanagh, who was excited to hear the news, gave her industry perspective on the recent budget announcement.

"Any incentive to encourage trades is a really good thing," Ms Cavanagh said.

Ms Cavanagh also noted employers and apprentices would “really welcome it”.

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“I believe it’s a positive thing; it will help.

“It’s not going to help all the problems of skill shortages, but it’s a step in the right direction,” she said.

Ms Cavanagh said the majority of salons in regional areas are small and anything that can help small business, and get young people into the industry, is a “real positive thing”.

She said hairdressing, as an industry, has “plateaued” over the years, and trying to get people interested is difficult, but that the incentive may bring that interest back.

And, Ms Cavanagh doesn’t believe the industry will be “phased out”.

"A lot of people think that university is the only pathway, but there are a lot of jobs out there in the trade areas and hairdressing's one that isn't going to be phased out by technology – it's such a personal service industry that you need people; it's ongoing; it is a career that you can have for life.

"I don't think the industry is at risk - you're not going to think, 'is this job going to be around in five years' time?'"

She said she hopes the Riverina will see much of the promised funds, stating that with more opportunities there may be more interest in the industry.

“Two thousand dollar may not sound like much to some people but for a small business it is.

“We need that continuing cycle of young people coming through the industry,” she said.