Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 22, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NATIONAL HOLDINGS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001023844
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		12,473,968
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 39,773,046