Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Taxes
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Foreign		$ 5,552	$ 7,058
Undistributed foreign earnings for which Woodward has not provided for taxes		253,797
Estimated decrease in liability for unrecognized tax benefits		114
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate		12,807	17,838
Accrued interest and penalties		1,158	2,066
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	18,069	22,687	22,694	16,931
Tax benefit related to reduction in the amount of undistributed earnings expected to be repatriated to the US in the forseeable future	$ 3,326