About us
Australia Post and Telstra are the only two original licensees present at the commencement of licensing who continue to be licensees today.
During the period 2005 to 2009, 17 new organisations, who were either former Commonwealth Authorities or in competition with a Commonwealth Authority, were granted licenses to operate under the Comcare scheme. Moving to the Comcare scheme allowed these national companies to self-insure their workers’ compensation and rehabilitation obligations and manage their work health and safety requirements under legislative provisions applying across all states and territories.
Initially, consideration was given to a third party organisation managing this function however, licensees decided to establish an independent incorporated association run by licensees themselves.
A series of meetings were held to name and establish the association of licensees.
Since 2009 the SRCLA has been active in representing licensees in the Comcare scheme and influencing the legislative and regulatory direction. Today the SRCLA is the peak licensee representative body within the Comcare jurisdiction and the employees of member organisations account for more than 50% of the total scheme employees.
The SRCLA is affiliated with the state self-insurance associations and is a member of the National Council of Self-Insurers.
Further Information
Executive Committee
Cassandra Jenkins
President
Cassandra was first elected to the SRCLA Executive Committee in December 2015.
Cassandra currently works at Bis Industries as Group Manager People Projects where she leads Bis’ workers compensation insurance services team under Comcare self-insurance and multiple state jurisdictions. Her team is responsible for injury management and workers’ compensation for approximately 1000 employees nationally.
Lou Hudson
SRCC Licensee Representative
Lou was elected by licensees to represent their views and was appointed to the SRCC from 27 November 2017. As Executive for HSWE at Telstra, Lou oversees health and safety, rehabilitation and compensation, wellbeing and environmental compliance for the Telstra Group globally. Lou has a legal background in dispute resolution, practising in the area of insurance and risk.
Beti Dafovski
Secretary
Beti is the General Manager Comcare, Welfare and Corporate Social Responsibility at Wilson Security, a leading integrated security solutions provider of over 7,000 employees.
With over 30 years experience in Federal and State workers compensation schemes specialising in claims and rehabilitation management, Beti has held executive roles within the logistics, manufacturing and public order and protection industry sectors. Beti was first elected to the SRCLA Executive Committee in 2018.
Laura Hudswell
Treasurer
Laura is the Head of Health, Medical and Workers Compensation at Pacific National, Australia’s largest private rail freight operator. Laura is responsible for claims and rehabilitation management. Laura has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) and a Grad Cert in Occupational Health and Safety. Laura has been the Treasurer for SRCLA since 2020.
Julian Hodder
Executive Committee Member
Julian is the General Manager of Injury Management at Australia Post Group, having commenced in the role in June 2021. Julian has over 20 years of experience in workers compensation, claims management and rehabilitation activities across State and Comcare schemes in the waste management, logistics and manufacturing industries.
Lisa McLoughlin
Executive Committee Member
Lisa is the Senior Consultant, Claims Management, at the Australian National University having commenced in July 2018 when the ANU became a self-insured licensee. Prior to joining ANU, Lisa was employed by Comcare for over 20 years, holding various positions in the claims division.
Melanie Ianssen
Executive Committee Member
Melanie is Head of Rehabilitation at Australia Post and is responsible for leading a team of in-house workplace rehabilitation providers who provide occupational rehabilitation services to a 35,000 strong workforce nationally. She has 25 years’ experience working across insurance, psychology, occupational rehabilitation and risk management.
Tim Saunders
Executive Committee Member
Tim is a registered Physiotherapist, and leads the Health Management and Rehabilitation Team at Telstra, Australia’s leading telecommunications and technology company. Tim’s team recently won the award for the best “Recovery and Return To Work” at Comcare’s 2023 WHS Awards of Excellence.
Vimalini Sathiyanathan
Executive Committee Member
Vimalini is the Manager of Workers Compensation at National Australia Bank Limited (NAB) and is responsible for leading a team of in-house consultants who facilitate the claims management of employees across Australia. Vimalini has a Bachelor of Arts/Laws and is an Australian legal practitioner. She has worked in federal compensation schemes for over 8 years.