BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Restructuring charges incurred by business segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring plan
Restructuring costs	$ 1,852	$ 6,272	$ 1,094
Unallocated corporate expenses and other
Restructuring plan
Restructuring costs		500	(100)
Cubic Transportation Systems
Restructuring plan
Restructuring costs	1,000	600	700
Cubic Global Defense Systems
Restructuring plan
Restructuring costs	300	4,600	$ 500
Cubic Global Defense Services
Restructuring plan
Restructuring costs	$ 600	$ 600