Two people have been killed and several injured by illegal fireworks around the country during New Year's Eve celebrations in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Key points: A 46-year-old man died in Gippsland after a firecracker reportedly exploded in his hand

A 46-year-old man died in Gippsland after a firecracker reportedly exploded in his hand A 52-year-old man in NSW also died while lighting a firework at Budgewoi Beach

A 52-year-old man in NSW also died while lighting a firework at Budgewoi Beach Paramedics responded to more than 100 separate cases, including falls and assaults, in Melbourne's CBD alone

In Victoria, police are investigating the death of a 46-year-old Springhurst man after a firecracker reportedly exploded in his hand at Hollands Landing, near Gippsland, about 9:30pm.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Andrew Crisp said the incident would be investigated by the coroner.

"Every year we put out warnings in relation to illegal fireworks. Tragically overnight, we saw the death of a 46-year-old man down at Hollands Landing," he said.

"A tragic reminder and we feel for the family of this man at this time."

In New South Wales, a 52-year-old man on the central coast died while setting off a large commercial firework at Budgewoi Beach.

He suffered serious head injuries, police said, and despite the efforts of family and paramedics could not be revived.

A man died in Victoria's Gippsland region after a firecracker reportedly exploded in his hand. ( ABC News: Iskhandar Razak )

Police said the man was with his wife and friends when the accident happened and when emergency services arrived, the man's wife was extremely distressed.

Chief Inspector Colin Lott said she was transported to Wyong Hospital for treatment.

"Obviously his family are going to remember this for the rest of their lives. No-one wants to lose a loved one at any time and on New Year's Day especially," he said.

Police forensic experts have finished examining the scene, and the man's wife and friends will be interviewed over the next few days as officers investigate the circumstances leading up to his death.

"This gentleman actually had this firework for some time, potentially up to 10 years and had discussed with his friends on the evening that it was time to light it to try it out," Chief Inspector Lott said.

"Obviously it could have been avoided — if he had not taken it upon himself to use the firework, it was an illegal act in itself, he would be with us today."

Police are still investigating whether he had a licence, but said it was unlikely.

'Safety must come first'

Chief Inspector Lott said the death was a timely reminder that people should not take unnecessary risks.

"During the holiday period, whether it be driving or enjoying themselves on the beach, that safety must come first," he said.

"They have to keep in mind their own safety and the people around them and not to take… unnecessary risks during this period."

Another man at Blue Haven, about eight kilometres west of Budgewoi, sustained serious eye injuries while attempting to light a firework at 12:20am.

Paramedics were kept busy overnight responding to New Year's Eve calls. ( Twitter: NSW Ambulance )

The firework exploded, burning the 19-year-old's face.

He went to Wyong Hospital and was later transferred to Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition. He will undergo vision tests in the coming days.

A teenager was also hurt by fireworks at South Morang, in Melbourne's north-east, while paramedics treated three men in their 20s for burns after an aerosol can exploded in a fire at Cobram, in northern Victoria.

In Queensland, a woman was injured by fireworks on North Stradbroke Island.

Paramedics said the 45-year-old was treated for cuts to her legs after an incident at Amity Point. The woman is reportedly in a stable condition.

Ambulance Victoria's Andy Watson said paramedics responded to more than 100 separate cases, including falls and assaults, in Melbourne's CBD alone overnight.

"We've seen the standard types of cases, the slips, the trips and the falls early in the evening and then we see the alcohol come into play with some bigger slips, trips and falls and some assaults that occur on an annual basis sadly," he said.

One man suffered leg injuries after falling from a lamp post on Princes Bridge, while elsewhere in Victoria, a man at Drouin was taken to hospital with facial burns after being hit by a firecracker.

In NSW, a 36-year-old man is also in critical condition in hospital after being badly injured during a fight at Parramatta in Sydney's west, and a 26-year-old man is in a critical condition after falling off the back of a ute in Sydney's CBD.