A delay in establishing an on-Country rehabilitation facility in the Kimberley will mean more at-risk youth will be transferred to Banksia Hill in Perth, more than 2,000km away from their communities.
The original deadline for the Western Australian government's proposed facility was early 2023.
Instead, a delay in the project will see it finalised in the second half of 2023.
Marlamanu Pty Ltd was announced by the Department for Regional Development last Tuesday as the ones who will deliver the Indigenous-led diversionary program.
National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project organiser Megan Krakouer said the delay is inexcusable.
"Because of resourcing challenges, children will need to come off Country to Banksia Hill which is in devastating affairs at its present," she said.
"I'm concerned for these children. We're talking about children's lives, Aboriginal diversity and children remaining on Country.
"To delay this any further, is really a breach of human rights violations and unjustifiable and it questions further the government's commitment to real improvement."
Earlier in November, The West Australian published footage showing a 14 year-old Indigenous boy in Banksia Hill handcuffed, while being pinned to the floor by three guards.
The footage sparked an outcry around the country from key figures and organisations including Social Reinvestment WA, Mental Health Australia and Senator Pat Dodson, who have condemned Banksia Hill.
Ms Krakouer, who has worked with hundreds of current and former Banksia Hill detainees, said care being on-Country makes a significant positive difference to Aboriginal youth.
"Children in the Kimberley need to have their rehabilitation on their own Country," she said.
"And not come to Perth, 1000s of kilometres away, where they are not going to be supported in ways they can be if in their own community.
"By children coming down to Banksia, there is a breach of cultural protocols and they are not going to get the cultural support that they need."
In an announcement last week, Minister for Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan said the process had been "complex".
"We've had all of the lead government agencies, the KDC, working with KRED (Ambooriny Burru Charitable Foundation), and with the other Aboriginal leadership to come to terms with exactly what this thing will look like," she said.
"So we might be a few months late but we think it's important to have done that work and developed an understanding of how that project is in fact going to rollout."
The program will be established at the Myoodah cattle station, approximately 112 kilometres south-east of Derby. It will provide 16 places for male children aged 14 to 17.
