CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2015	Jun. 27, 2014	Jul. 03, 2015	Jun. 27, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 113,642	$ 107,090	$ 312,925	$ 297,838
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans:
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax (expense) benefit of $41 and $121 for the three and nine months ended July 3, 2015, respectively, and ($6) and ($18) for the corresponding periods of fiscal year 2014, respectively	(39)	38	(117)	113
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax expense of ($116) and ($347) for the three and nine months ended July 3, 2015, respectively, and ($102) and ($303) for the corresponding periods of fiscal year 2014, respectively	505	433	1,514	1,303
Other comprehensive income (loss), pension and other postretirement benefit plans, adjustment, net of tax	466	471	1,397	1,416
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities:
Increase (decrease) in unrealized gain (loss), net of tax benefit of $102 for both the three and nine months ended July 3, 2015	(218)	0	(218)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), available-for-sale securities adjustment, net of tax	(218)	0	(218)	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives:
Increase (decrease) in unrealized gain, net of tax (expense) benefit of ($127) and ($866) for the three and nine months ended July 3, 2015, respectively, and ($37) and ($816) for the corresponding periods of fiscal year 2014, respectively	214	62	1,452	1,361
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax (expense) benefit of $259 and $1,286 for the three and nine months ended July 3, 2015, respectively, and ($90) and $389 for the corresponding periods of fiscal year 2014, respectively	(434)	149	(2,155)	(649)
Other comprehensive income (loss), derivatives qualifying as hedges, net of tax, total	(220)	211	(703)	712
Currency translation adjustment	2,112	(1,742)	(28,348)	(752)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss)	2,140	(1,060)	(27,872)	1,376
Comprehensive earnings	115,782	106,030	285,053	299,214
Less: Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	78	0	78	0
Comprehensive earnings attributable to Varian	$ 115,704	$ 106,030	$ 284,975	$ 299,214