Who we are

Dr Natalie Pelham

Chief Executive

Natalie is a nationally recognised authority in safety regulation, policy and reform with more than 25 years in the public sector at both state and national levels.

Since being appointed National Rail Safety Regulator in 2023, she has positioned ONRSR to enhance its regulatory intelligence framework for risk-based regulation, expand its collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and to be a sustainable regulator demonstrating that it is efficient and effective. This position strikes the right balance to enable ONRSR to grow its positive influence on rail safety practices and outcomes across Australia.

Trish White AM

Non-executive member

A former cabinet minister in the SA government (infrastructure, development, transport, science and education portfolios), Trish has extensive experience in the fields of governance, risk and project management and has worked globally as an engineering executive.

Trish is a Fellow of the AICD and the College of Leadership and Management, a Professional Company Director, a current Board Director and immediate past President and Board Chair of Engineers Australia.

Julie-Anne Schafer

Non-executive member

Julie-Anne is an experienced Director and Chair, in highly regulated sectors, including infrastructure and transport, having served as a National Transport Commissioner, Director of Queensland Rail, President of Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) and Chair of RACQ Insurance. Her current directorships include Urban Utilities and she is the Independent External Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Julie-Anne holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LL.B. Hons) from the University of Queensland and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Peter Doggett

Chief Operating Officer

Peter has over 30 years' experience in the rail industry where he has combined national and international leadership roles and practical operational experience with a focus on risk management and cultural change.

Sasha Viergever

Executive Director, Corporate Services

Sasha is an experienced leader in Finance and Operations having held senior leadership roles within the UK Financial Services industry for nearly 20 years. Sasha brings a breadth of experience in financial management, business transformation and process improvement, change management, risk management and corporate governance. Sasha is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand.

Fraser Stroud

Executive Director, Statutory Compliance

Fraser has a background in statutory regulation, compliance, enforcement and public integrity, and brings senior leadership experience to ONRSR in areas such as regulatory governance, legal decision-making, and intelligence-led enforcement. Fraser is passionate about firm, fair, and risk-based regulation that protects the public, strengthens safety outcomes, and fosters trust between regulators, industry, and the community.

National Operations

Administers the national rail safety accreditation regime and delivers ONRSR’s annual National Work Program through a coordinated program of audits, inspections, site visits and other regulatory activities. The team provides advice and insights to rail transport operators to support compliance with the Rail Safety National Law, and delivers specialist technical advice and training to support regulatory activities across all jurisdictions. It also oversees ONRSR’s engagement with major rail projects nationally and maintains a watch-and-act role on emerging rail technologies and innovations.

Statutory Compliance

Oversees ONRSR’s regulatory compliance and enforcement functions by conducting rail safety investigations and prosecutions. It is a multi-disciplinary team that collaborates across jurisdictions to uphold Rail Safety National Law.

Stakeholder Engagement and Influence

Builds and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, driving engagement and strategic communication with a focus on sharing insights and advice that can deliver safety outcomes across the industry.

Safety and Regulatory Insights

Guides our risk-based regulatory model and the National Work Program that flows from it. Identifies, through effective data management, analysis and governance, the important national safety issues to tackle and the safety information and lessons to share with industry.

Corporate Services

Services and expertise that help our people stay focused on their role. Encompassing Finance, People & Capability, Information Management and Business Technology Services, this team ensures ONRSR has the right people, with the right skills and experiences, with the right technology and tools.

Policy

Manages and develops ONRSR input to national policy and legislative reforms including liaison with key stakeholders to inform ONRSR positions. ONRSR’s interface with Ministerial and Parliamentary activities and responsible for developing and maintaining a suite of guidance documentation that supports industry to comply with Rail Safety National Law.