CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 412,018	$ 403,703	$ 438,248
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans:
Net gain (loss) arising during the year, net of tax benefit (expense) of $905, $930 and ($1,504)	(4,734)	(9,593)	5,549
Prior service cost arising during the year, net of tax expense of $0, ($1,240) and $0	0	2,078	0
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax benefit (expense) of $170, ($27) and $159	(211)	156	(145)
Amortization, settlement curtailment of net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax expense of $(663), ($529) and ($608)	2,935	3,380	3,138
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans:	(2,010)	(3,979)	8,542
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives:
Increase in unrealized gain (loss), net of tax expense of $(837), ($1,467) and ($191)	1,402	2,458	318
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax benefit of $1,413, $479 and $923	(2,367)	(802)	(1,540)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives:	(965)	1,656	(1,222)
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities:
Increase (decrease) in unrealized gain (loss), net of tax benefit of $52, $0 and $0	(112)	0	0
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities:	(112)	0	0
Currency translation adjustment	(24,765)	(16,217)	9,230
Other comprehensive loss	(27,852)	(18,540)	16,550
Comprehensive earnings	384,166	385,163	454,798
Less: Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	533	0	0
Comprehensive earnings attributable to Varian	$ 383,633	$ 385,163	$ 454,798