In response to the Second Vatican Council, the Sisters of St Joseph, Perthville, together with the Diocesan Sisters of St Joseph of Wanganui ( New Zealand ), Goulburn, Lochinvar and Tasmania , formed the Australian- New Zealand Federation of Sisters of St Joseph which was approved and established by the Sacred Congregation of Religious on 28^th July 1967 .

Each member, (Congregation), is of equal standing and right in the Federation and retains its own autonomy of life, especially of governance.

The Federation is governed through a Federation Council.  This Council consists of the members of the Leadership Teams from each Congregation. It elects in accordance with the approved Statutes, a President, Vice- President and Treasurer. One member from each Leadership Team is nominated to form the Executive of the Federation.

The main role of this Council is to:

• foster greater union among all the Sisters belonging to the member Congregations and promote their religious commitment as Sisters of St Joseph.
• research and make decisions on common undertakings of the Federation and seek to lead with a prophetic voice in matters of general Federation   interests:
• promote among the member Congregations of the Federation effective   initial and ongoing formation programs.
  
• keep the Constitutions in review according to the mind of the Church.

The Federation Council currently meets each year.  The next meeting will be held Whangui, New Zealand in April 2008.