I have a Qantas booking with the first flight a domestic flight (ADL to SYD), then an international flight the following day SYD to JFK (less than 24 hours after the first flight).

I have a Qantas booking with the first flight a domestic flight (ADL to SYD), then an international flight the following day SYD to JFK (less than 24 hours after the first flight). However when I look at the booking online, it say ADL to JFK with a short note saying I'm in transit in SYD. Is this normal even though they are separate flights? Does this mean when my bags are checked in all the way through to JFK when I check in on the first flight?

I'm reasonably certain you can opt to have them only checked as far as ADL if you ask.

I certainly wouldn't want my baggage sitting overnight in SYD!

Victor,

Yes this is normal.

If both flights are on the same PNR, you may check it through all the way (although you will have to collect bags at LAX and clear US immigration and customs).

You may also short check your bags to SYD, if you are spending the night there and check in in the morning for the SYD/LAX/JFK service.

This is what would normally occur yes, so completely normal. Qantas's policy is streamlined with that of American (and most of the other OneWorld carriers), which is to through-check your baggage for all flights that are on the same reloc. The caveat with QF and AA is that the time in the transit city should be less than 24 hours - up to 23 hours and 59 minutes is OK, but the second it hits 24 hours, it is then deemed by most carriers to instead be a stopover, and baggage is meant to be collected regardless.

As TRB quite rightly pointed out, they can force the baggage out in SYD if you want/need it; you just need to speak with the agent checking your bagge in.