DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Income Statement Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jul. 01, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jul. 01, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.0	$ 17.0	$ (6.8)	$ 53.9
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Varian	0.0	16.8	(6.9)	53.7
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues		146.5	194.0	431.4
Cost of revenues		83.6	117.3	252.2
Gross margin		62.9	76.7	179.2
Operating expenses		34.5	76.1	91.5
Operating earnings		28.4	0.6	87.7
Taxes on earnings		11.4	7.4	33.8
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations		17.0	(6.8)	53.9
Less: Net earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ 0.0	0.2	0.1	0.2
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Varian		16.8	(6.9)	53.7
Separation costs		$ 5.4	$ 34.2	$ 5.4