VicHealth released the report on Tuesday which examined binge-drinking on public holidays and social occasions in Melbourne.

Fitzroy-based Turning Point researchers examined data around ambulance call-outs, emergency department visits, hospital admissions, police reports and road accidents on public holidays in metropolitan Melbourne over a 10-year period from 2000 to 2009.

The report found Australia Day was the worst day of the year for excessive drinking and alcohol-related assaults among young people, and second only to New Year's Eve overall. Ambulance attendances for intoxication more than doubled on Australia Day, and there was a tripling of young people treated for assaults.

Serious car accidents also peaked the day before Australia Day and on Good Friday, the report found.

Dr Belinda Lloyd said researchers had been surprised to find Australia Day was among the worst for drinking-related incidents. New Year's Eve was the worst night of the year, with a seven-fold increase in ambulance calls, a six-fold increase in emergency presentations and five times as many hospital admissions.

Assaults, family violence and serious traffic accidents peaked during the warmer months of the year.

"We also found the alcohol-related harms tended to peak the day before [a public holiday]."

The findings would help with targeting public awareness campaigns to minimise harm around these major events and planning emergency services.

VicHealth's alcohol policy expert Brian Vandenberg said the report proved "Australia has a binge-drinking culture that peaks around major events and public holidays".

"It's a real shame that Australia Day has turned into a binge-drinking event," he said.

Mr Vandenberg said the research would be used to target prevention efforts around problem periods.

Adults needed to set better examples about drinking in moderation around young people, while the liquor industry should take responsibility for not promoting buying "massive amounts of cheap alcohol", he said.

Mr Vandenberg also said the state government had to look at tougher liquor laws, especially surrounding bottle shops.