Australia will have an expected workforce shortfall of more than 100,000 carers within five years with the gap to more than double by 2050, according to a new "secret" report handed to the former government last year.
The Care Workforce Labour Market Study says an ageing population will be a key driver of demand for more carers across the world.
The report was delivered to the Morrison government in September last year but was only released on Monday by Skills Minister Brendan O'Connor, who has accused the previous government of burying the report.
"It was kept secret because the Liberal government wanted to avoid dealing with the growing crisis facing the care workforce, particularly aged care, disability care, and care and support in mental health," he said.
"Australians deserve to know the truth. Locking a report in a drawer won't trick Australians, who know there is a challenge that needs to be confronted."
The report says Australia will have a shortfall of around 100,000 care workers by 2027-28, but by 2050 that workforce gap will be around 212,000 full-time equivalent positions.
It also says the current award system does not entirely reflect the distinct responsibilities of workers, meaning the same minimum pay rates apply to a range of roles.
The Fair Work Commission is currently considering a case brought forward by the unions, which are calling for a 25 per cent pay increase for 200,000 residential and home care workers.
The federal government has promised to pick up the bill for any potential pay rise.
Since the study was completed, national skills commissioner Adam Boyton issued an update in August, saying the economic environment had changed considerably on the back of COVID-19.
"The forecast gaps would be both larger than anticipated; and would emerge even more quickly than noted in the study," Mr Boyton said.
Mr O'Connor said the government was taking action.
"The government is committed to working to improve attraction, retention and the sustainability of the care workforce to deliver reform the sector so desperately needs," he said.
Shadow Skills Minister Sussan Ley said Mr O'Connor needed to "go back and read his initial briefing documents".
"The Coalition released a dedicated National Care and Support Workforce Strategy in March this year based on the very National Skills Commission report Labor is claiming was buried, the question is, had Brendan O'Connor even read it?"
