The parents of a nine-month-old girl found lifeless on the beach at Surfers Paradise were homeless and raising their family on the streets.

The infant was found unresponsive on the edge of the surf near Staghorn Avenue about 12.30am on Monday.

Despite desperate attempts, police and paramedics were were unable to revive her.

The girl's 48-year-old father and 23-year-old mother are being questioned in police custody after being found about five kilometres away in Broadbeach.