Shorten sub snub leaves him in a pickle

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has apologised for accidentally accusing Subway of ripping off its staff.

Mr Shorten told a media conference in Sydney on Wednesday: "We've all been appalled and disgusted by the scenes at Subway - thousands of people are being ripped off."

However, he later apologised on Twitter saying he meant to say 7-Eleven.

"Is it lunchtime yet? Might grab a sub," Mr Shorten wrote.

7-Eleven store owners have admitted to short-changing staff wages by thousands of dollars.

The opposition leader was lampooned on Twitter.

Mr Shorten said he was appalled by the worker ripoffs at 7Eleven stores.

"Why is the government so quick to pile in on its political opponents but missing on action when workers are being exploited?" he said in a statement.

"If this brings more attention to the plight of these workers, then I welcome that."