Forging into the first Test in Barbados without the axed Marnus Lacbuschagne and injured Steve Smith, new-look Australia were in a world of pain after winning the toss on Wednesday (Thursday morning AEST) as Joseph took 4-46.
The gregarious quick dispatched top-order wunderkind Sam Konstas for three on his return to the Test arena before continuing Cameron Green's tough start to life at No.3, the big man also out for the same score.
Joseph's masterclass came 17 months after he bowled the West Indies to a famous Gabba boilover, and left perennially successful Australia facing the reality that this would be no holiday in the Caribbean.
Smith's injury replacement Josh Inglis (five) was muzzled as well, caught behind as he tried to counter-attack Jayden Seales (5-60), who would go on to rip through the tail after tea.
The dismissal of Inglis left the visitors reeling at 3-22 after 15.1 testing overs.
Things could have been worse had wily veteran Usman Khawaja not been dropped twice on his way to 47 before eventually being caught off an under-edge from Joseph.
Only Khawaja's 89-run stand with Travis Head provided relief for the Australians as they struggled to regroup following the shock WTC final loss to South Africa.
But Head (59 off 78 balls) caught an outside edge from allrounder Justin Greaves (1-26) only four deliveries after tea, signalling the end was nigh for Australia.
Captain courageous Pat Cummins muscled up for 28 off 18 balls with the end in sight before picking out Kraigg Brathwaite at mid-off.
Seales finished the job, Josh Hazlewood (four) gloving to Shai Hope as Greaves completed his five-fer.
Earlier, Beau Webster and Alex Carey both fell cheaply before tea with the visitors having been unable to cash in first-up as they dropped Labuschagne for the first time in six years following the loss to South Africa at Lord's.Â
Smith was also out of action because of the finger injury he suffered in the final, although he could be available for the second Test.
It was the first time Australia had gone into a Test without both of them since November 2018.
It was a big opportunity again for Konstas, who made a spectacular debut in December against India at just 19, but he was quickly dismissed by Joseph nipping one back that trapped him lbw on review. He lasted 14 balls for his three.
Green looked as unhappy as he had against Kagiso Rabada at Lord's before finally being put out his misery when Joseph got him caught pushing hard to second slip Justin Greaves on the 21st ball he faced.
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