Joe returns to Erinsborough on the eve of Sky's (now played by Stephanie McIntosh) 18th birthday and stays for several months. He has many clashes with Janelle Timmins (Nell Feeney) and his former-in-laws, the Bishops. Joe becomes romantically involved with Lyn Scully. Lyn's eldest daughter, Stephanie (Carla Bonner) resents this union, but comes around. Joe proves to be a great support to Harold and Sky after David (Kevin Harrington), Liljana (Marcella Russo) and Serena (Lara Sacher) die in a plane crash above Bass Strait. Joe and Lyn announce their engagement but it is cut short when Toby phones from Western Australia needing help on his farm. Joe is reluctant to leave, but Lyn persuades him to go and help his son. Joe then leaves town after saying goodbye to Sky. In 2018, Joe telephones Jane to inform her that Nell has died.