A specialist therapeutic court program for Aboriginal children and young people in South Australia has been launched to address the over-representation of young Aboriginal people in the state's criminal justice system.

The Youth Aboriginal Community Court Adelaide (YACCA) is a culturally-responsive program that aims to minimise young people's interactions with the justice system through intervention and support.

At a cost of more than $700,000, the program is being trialled for two years for young people sitting at the Adelaide Youth Court.

South Australian Attorney-General and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Kyam Maher, said more needs to be done to address the number of Aboriginal children and youth in South Australia's criminal justice system.

The over-representation of Aboriginal young people in our justice system, and the high rates of recidivism, is deeply troubling," Mr Maher said.

"Clearly we need to do more to address some of the factors that can contribute to a young person offending, and put measures and supports in place that can make a difference."

The YACCA will involve Aboriginal Elders and respected persons in the court process, with the young person's sentence delayed while support is given to address issues that contribute to their offending.

"YACCA will provide targeted and culturally safe interventions to young offenders, who will receive the support and help they need," Mr Maher said.

"This is an important reform and consistent with the recommendations of the Advisory Commission into the Incarceration Rates of Aboriginal Peoples in South Australia."

Eligible young people will receive the support they need from the external service provider and have regular check-ins with YACCA including informal court sittings, to check on their progress.

YACCA commences in South Australia from mid-October.