Workers at 7-Eleven have received almost $10 million in compensation after the franchise giant set up an "independent" panel following revelations of systemic wage fraud across the franchise network.

The panel, headed by former ACCC chairman professor Allan Fels, has received almost 3000 claims from past and present exploited foreign students on visas which is equivalent to an average payout of $33,284.

Some workers were paid as little as $10 an hour, some were threatened with deportation if they spoke up, some were beaten and some were forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars for visas.

Professor Fels said in the past few weeks he had seen fewer examples of workers coming forward with reports that stores were still ripping off staff. He said it was early days, but it suggested 7-Eleven was starting to hold franchisees to account. "I strongly encourage 7-Eleven to stay vigilant and keep holding franchisees to account," he said.