A support organisation has criticised the lack of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre for Indigenous people in an outback region which has long waited with hope.

South Australia has no such service specifically for Aboriginal people.

About $7 million of federal funding was announced more than five years ago to build a centre in the north-west of SA.

But the Federal Government said there had been another delay because a preferred service provider at Port Augusta had pulled out.

Scott Wilson, from Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Services, said taxpayers could save money in the long run if addicts were treated for their problems.

"For every non-violent offender that could be referred to rehab, the Government could save $111,000 per offender. Well in South Australia that's not going to happen," he said.

South Australia lost its only specific rehabilitation service for Aborigines last year when the Kalparrin Rehabilitation Centre at Murray Bridge closed.