Concerns have been raised about the state of former mission sites in Western Australia's south west.

Sites including Marribank, formerly known as Carrolup Native Settlement, Wandering Mission and Mogumber Mission have fallen into disrepair and must be restored and put to use as places of truth and healing, says Noongar advocate Mervyn Eades.

Mr Eades told National Indigenous Times an examination of the sites should be conducted to identify and properly mark grave sites, as a first step towards proper care for the significant places.

"What needs to be done at Carrolup, Wandering and Mogumber, they need independent people to do the ground surveys... like they did in Canada where they found mass graves (at former 'residential schools' grounds)," he said.

"We have had people who were crying to see it the way it is. When we talk about historical importance, about it being part of our history and our generational trauma - these are our story-telling places, our truth-telling places.

"I went through there the other day; the graves are unmarked - there is not even a number in government records of the child burials (at the former missions)."

Mr Eades noted that two of the sites - Carrolup and Wandering - are under the control of the Southern Aboriginal Corporation.

"SAC should not be in control of those places, they have failed," he said.

Southern Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Asha Bhat told National Indigenous Times the Corporation "owns the Carrolup and Wandering mission sites and is working with the appropriate bodies to ensure they are managed respectfully".

"The SAC Board has held discussions with members of Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation regarding their future," she said.

"SAC supports the potential use of these sites for healing and education, with community consultation required before confirming any long-term plans."

Mr Eades said the condition of the sites is "a massive problem".

"The outside is there but the insides are collapsing. They need a full refurbishment because of the history of these places," he said.

"It blows my mind that our mob, our people have legal control of these places and are just letting them waste away.

"It means so much to people, these missions. Turning a blind eye to it all... it's not right. It's heartbreaking, brother, especially when you walk to that little cemetery, with no marked graves, no memorial, nothing about who they were, their names."

Marribank/Carrolup Native Settlement is included on the State Register of Heritage Places and the Register of Aboriginal Sites and Objects.

Wandering Mission is identified in the Shire of Wandering's local heritage survey.

Under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, approval is required for any activities that may harm any Aboriginal heritage.

Other former mission sites across the State are registered, or - National Indigenous Times understands - may be subject to future registration, with plans also currently being progressed for reuse of another former mission site.

A State Government spokesperson told National Indigenous Times Western Australia's mission sites "stand as powerful reminders of a painful chapter in our history and offer the community opportunities for reflection, learning, and remembrance".

"The State Government acknowledges the trauma that many Aboriginal people endured at these missions and the importance of working with the Aboriginal community to facilitate truth telling and increase awareness across the Western Australian community of the history associated with these places," they said.

"Various levels of protection apply to these sites under both the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, and the Heritage Act 2018, with associated approval processes guiding future use.

"The Southern Aboriginal Corporation is encouraged to engage with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to discuss options to support healing and assist with the future management and use of these former mission sites."