Anti-Indigenous racism from students at an elite Perth school is part of a "serious regression" that needs a strong response, a leading Noongar human rights experts says.

Law academic Dr Hannah McGlade told National Indigenous Times that the racist messages sent via Snapchat by students at Presbyterian Ladies College are indicative of a broader problem that is a threat to the wellbeing and educational prospects of Indigenous students.

"It's shocking that Aboriginal children are not safe in their education and even the elite private schools are clearly not tackling racism sufficiently," she said.

"We need to make sure there is a strong anti-racism commitment across government and non-government schools in our state. Our kids have a right to safe education.

"Racism is a threat to their social and emotional wellbeing and a risk to their education opportunities."

The ABC reports the messages contained racist slurs against Indigenous people, including references to suicide, sexual abuse, and alcohol use.

The school's management became aware of the messages but as a private independent institution it was not required to notify the Department of Education or the WA minister for education.

Presbyterian Ladies College principal Cate Begbie told the ABC the school did not comment on student matters.

"PLC is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful learning environment for all students, from pre-kindergarten to year 12," she said.

"We value diversity and the importance of learning from one another in a supportive way."

Dr McGlade said her own son had experienced racism at a Perth private school.

"When he graduated, he told me he would not be associating with the non-Indigenous students from that school, except for one boy, because they were so racist online towards Aboriginal people," she told National Indigenous Times.

"There has been a serious regression. This reminds me of growing up in the 1970s.

"The state government has to invest in this area. We are not closing the gap, and we are not investing in anti-racism adequately."

Presbyterian Ladies College has scholarships and support programs in place for Indigenous students.

Sharna Walley, who has run a workshop for the school aimed at empowering Indigenous students, told the ABC she was "disgusted but unfortunately not surprised".

"This behaviour is not new or original — in fact it's outdated and exhausting, it's a more contemporary platform but people have been facilitating hateful forums for decades," she said.

"As a Noongar woman I personally know the challenges navigating school in this society as an Aboriginal person but also as someone who had experienced a more difficult childhood.

"I started working with youth way back when I was studying at uni and always wanted to work with young people, I myself struggled with my identity and racism at that age and wanted to see better outcomes and support for the young people in my community."

Western Australia, along with all other states and territories with the exception of Victoria and New South Wales, does not currently collect data about student experiences of racism in school and school-related settings.