Apprentice hair salons see surge in bookings as living costs climb
TAFE Queensland’s training salons across the state have attracted many more customers, drawn by low-price haircuts amid rising cost-of-living pressures.
Training salons operated by TAFE Queensland have experienced a sharp increase in clientele as households feel the squeeze of higher living costs. In several areas, bookings have risen by over 70 per cent, driven by the appeal of $10-$20 haircuts compared with $70-plus at commercial salons. Customers such as Denise Kelly and Simon Zanchetta say the modest price and a degree of trust in apprentices make the trade worthwhile.
Staff like Deb Blow attribute the surge directly to cost-of-living pressures. For apprentices, the influx means more hands-on experience, improving their speed, precision and client-interaction skills, according to educators Naomie Diamond and apprentices Ahrielle Jeffery and Chevy Lawford. The pattern highlights how economic challenges are reshaping demand for affordable vocational services.
Why it matters
It shows how tighter household budgets are boosting demand for low-cost training services while giving apprentices real-world experience.
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