Victorians caught driving while drunk and on illicit drugs will face fines of up to $41,000 and lose their licences from next month.

First-time offenders who record a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 or higher and simultaneously test positive for illicit drugs could be fined up to $4550 and have their licences cancelled for at least one year.

Repeat offenders will lose their licences for at least two years and face fines of up to $40,959.

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The news follows the release of a report that says 15 Australians die each day and 430 are hospitalised because of alcohol.

The Alcohol’s Burden of Disease in Australia report, funded partially by VicHealth, shows a 62 per cent increase in the number of alcohol related deaths since the study was conducted a decade ago.

The report found 5,554 deaths and 157,132 hospitalisations were caused by alcohol in 2010.

The study, conducted by alcohol and drug centre Turning Point, also found an increase in alcohol-fuelled injuries, with injuries accounting for one-in-three alcohol-related deaths in men.

For women, one in three alcohol-related deaths were due to heart disease.

Western Australian and the Northern Territory have the highest alcohol consumption rates, with Northern Territory residents three times more likely to die from alcohol use than other Australians.

Dr Belinda Lloyd, Head of Population Health Research at Turning Point, said that the report was a ‘timely reminder’ of the dangers of alcohol.

“The reality is that the long term effects aren’t just confined to one Saturday night, with serious health problems a genuine concern,” Dr Lloyd said.