Student Spotlight – Andrew Embley, Sales Representative, CY Property 

He’s no stranger to hard work or high-pressure environments, but after a career in the AFL and broadcasting, Andrew Embley is stepping into a new challenge: real estate.

He may have swapped his boots for business cards, but Andrew's competitive streak remains the same. The former AFL star has just completed his unrestricted registration and is now diving into the fast-paced world of real estate.

We caught up with Andrew to hear why he made the move, what he’s learned so far, and where he hopes to go next.

What made you want to pursue a career in real estate?

I know a lot of people in the industry and the consensus was that while it’s not an easy job, it can be very rewarding if you’re prepared to play the long game.

After speaking with my wife about the next chapter of my working career, we felt real estate would be a really good fit. I felt I had skills like resilience, discipline and people skills that would translate well to the property industry, and I’m also keen to learn from the right people to make sure I can succeed.

You’ve just completed your Unrestricted Registration with REIWA Training. Are you working with an agency or mentor yet?

Yes, I’ve just started with CY Property. A lot of people recommended them for their development and support, which I think is really important when you’re new to any industry.

I’ve already met Richard Young, Steve Currie and the team there, and I feel really comfortable it’s going to be a good fit. I’m excited to get started.

Are there skills from your AFL or broadcasting career that carry over into real estate?

Definitely. There are a lot of similarities between professional sport and real estate. When you start out in AFL, you’re young and inexperienced, and success comes down to having a strong work ethic and resilience. You deal with setbacks, injuries and the challenge of not getting opportunities right away, but you keep preparing so you’re ready when your chance comes.

It’s the same in real estate. At the beginning you’re inexperienced, but if you surround yourself with the right people, learn from them and build your skills, you eventually get to the point where you can succeed on your own. Resilience is key too. People might know my name, but that doesn’t mean they’ll trust me with selling their largest asset. I need to earn that trust.

Why did you choose REIWA Training for your course?

REIWA came highly recommended. I considered online options but chose the 10-day in-person course, and I’m really glad I did. I hadn’t been in a classroom for 25 years, so learning face-to-face was important. The trainers were excellent – very knowledgeable and they made sure we understood the content, not just the assessments.

The support was second to none. There were times I got stuck on my assessments, and being able to call on the trainers made a huge difference. One even spent an hour on the phone with me on a Sunday night to talk things through. That kind of dedication gave me a lot of confidence.

Trying to do it without that training and support would’ve been a nightmare, but with the notes and guidance I felt set up for success. It really put me on my way.

What’s next for your professional development?

Right now, I just want to get to work. I’m looking forward to shadowing experienced people at CY, listing properties and meeting buyers at home opens, and gaining the practical experience.

Down the track, I’d like to complete an auction course with REIWA Training. It’s another skill I can add to my toolkit as I build my career.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting a career in real estate?

You’re never too old to start – in my course there were people from 18 right through to their 60s.

My advice would be to just enrol in the course – it gives you confidence to start your career on the right track. If you’re prepared to put the work in and commit to the study, you’ll give yourself the best chance to succeed.