EARNINGS PER SHARE - Computation of Net Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Apr. 01, 2016	Apr. 03, 2015	Apr. 01, 2016	Apr. 03, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings attributable to Varian	$ 96,971	$ 105,969	$ 185,998	$ 199,283
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	95,671	100,157	96,474	100,315
Dilutive effect of potential common shares (in shares)	508	869	598	1,026
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	96,179	101,026	97,072	101,341
Net earnings per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01	$ 1.06	$ 1.93	$ 1.99
Net earnings per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01	$ 1.05	$ 1.92	$ 1.97
Anti-dilutive employee shared based awards, excluded	2,031	956	2,031	1,194

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation.

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