A staggering 14 wickets fell on Wednesday (Thursday morning AEDT), and the tourists looked in a world of hurt sputtering to 180 - their lowest first-innings total against West Indies since 1995 - after winning the toss.
Lively paceman Joseph (4-46) had been the home side's most important man, with returning wunderkind Sam Konstas (3) and new No.3 Cam Green (3) among his big scalps.
Joseph's heroics came 17 months after stunning Pat Cummins' side and the cricketing world with a masterclass at the Gabba in Brisbane.
But Australia's own fast-bowling cartel threw down the gauntlet after tea to put the tourists in a competitive position, with West Indies going to stumps at 4-57 - 123 runs behind.
"(The quicks) always ask questions, they always extract everything out of the wicket they can," said Travis Head, Australia's top-scorer with 59 runs from 78 balls.
"Disappointed we couldn't fight for a few extra runs to keep putting the pressure on West Indies.
"But (the quicks) probably got ourselves back in a position tonight where it makes for a good morning (on day two)."
Left-armer Mitchell Starc (2-35) swung the new ball and pushed West Indies to 2-16, before Cummins (1-13) found a breakthrough to dismiss Keacy Carty (20) with shadows falling on Kensington Oval.
Josh Hazlewood (1-8) smacked off-stump and sent nightwatchman Jomel Warrican for a second-ball duck, leaving captain Roston Chase (1) and debutant Brandon King (23) at the crease.
Australia's batters struggled without the axed Marnus Labuschagne and injured Steve Smith as Joseph starred early and Jayden Seales (5-60) ripped through the tail.
"Shamar again put the ball in the right area and asked questions," Head said.
Konstas had toyed with Jasprit Bumrah in a teenage Test debut, but he was no match for Joseph, who nipped one back and trapped the opener lbw on the 14th ball of his Test comeback.
"I think I set it up perfect towards him, a few outswingers and then get the ball turning back," Joseph told ESPN's broadcast.
Green looked as unhappy as he had against Kagiso Rabada in the World Test Championship final at Lord's, before finally being put out of his misery when Joseph got him caught pushing hard to second slip.
A third single-digit effort from as many knocks is sure to embolden those doubting Green's move up the order on his return from a back injury.
Smith's injury replacement Josh Inglis (5) was muzzled as well, the visitors reeling at 3-22 when he was caught behind trying to counter-attack Seales.
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.
It was a mixed day in the field for the hosts, with debutant King putting down three chances, including one from Nathan Lyon that would have given Joseph a fourth Test "five-fer".
After an 89-run partnership with Khawaja came to an end, swashbuckling Head caught an outside edge from allrounder Justin Greaves (1-26) to signal the end was nigh for Australia.
Seales completed his "five-fer" - and Australia's innings - when Hazlewood gloved to Shai Hope on four.
"It probably makes for an important couple of hours in the morning," Head said reflecting on day one.
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