The proposal had been met with outcry from hairdressers, who said it would have killed Wagga’s salon industry and devastated the chances of prospective professionals. 

A petition online had gathered more than 19,000 signatures, however, plans to repeal the law were abandoned on Wednesday afternoon.  

Turning Heads Hairdressing owner Chris Burkinshaw spoke out against the proposal. 

“I could see problems with it, absolutely,” he said.

“If they are saying people don’t need to have qualification as far as a certificate, how are they going to know what they are doing?

“Once hair is gone, it’s gone … you need some kind of qualifications, some direction.”

Mr Burkinshaw has worked as a hairdresser for more than two decades, teaching at Tafe for three years and taking on 17 apprentices in his time.

He suspected the proposal had been the result of a shortage in hairdressers a few years ago. 

“I think what happened a few years ago, there was a skill shortage so not a lot of qualified hairdressers,” Mr Burkinshaw said.

“They believe that people can learn on the job without necessarily be having a qualification or a piece of paper.”

Australian Hairdressers Council chief executive officer Sandy Chong said she was “absolutely delighted and relieved” the legislation would continue.

“It is good news,” she said.

Keeping the legislation was important because it prevented a “dumbing down” of hairdressers and chemical training was required, Ms Chong said. 

“Our feeling is the act should stay for two reasons- one it could discredit the industry and it is important to protect the consumer,” she said.

“How would you feel if something went wrong and they burnt your scalp, or you lost your hair?” 

It would have meant less job opportunities for young people in Wagga.

Anecdotal evidence showed training positions were more in demand in the country rather than urban places, Ms Chong said.

“It is easier to get an apprentice in the regional areas rather than the city areas,” she said.