CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 89,042	$ 93,314
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax benefit of $45 and $41	(72)	(38)
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax expense of ($132) and ($116)	601	504
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans:	529	466
Derivative instruments:
Change in unrealized gain (loss), net of tax expense of ($54) and ($284)	91	475
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax benefit of $0 and $326	0	(545)
Derivative instruments:	91	(70)
Available-for-sale securities:
Change in unrealized gain (loss), net of tax benefit of $141	(299)	0
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax expense of ($193)	411	0
Available-for-sale securities:	112	0
Currency translation adjustment	(4,653)	(12,290)
Other comprehensive loss	(3,921)	(11,894)
Comprehensive earnings	85,121	81,420
Less: Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	15	0
Comprehensive earnings attributable to Varian	$ 85,106	$ 81,420