Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Temporary equity (Note 13):
Temporary equity, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Temporary equity, shares authorized	10,000	0
Temporary equity, shares outstanding	400	0
Temporary equity, liquidation preference	$ 607,583	$ 0
Harbinger Group Inc. stockholders' equity (Note 14):
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000	500,000
Common stock, shares issued	139,346	139,197
Common stock, shares outstanding	139,346	139,197