Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Operating Activities
Net Income	$ 558.5	$ 587.4
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	14.4	14.5
Net income attributable to Air Products	544.1	572.9
Income from discontinued operations	(39.2)	(39.8)
Income from continuing operations	504.9	533.1
Adjustments to reconcile income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	408.3	415.3
Deferred income taxes	53.1	63.0
Benefit from Spanish tax ruling	(58.3)
Undistributed earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(25.0)	(7.7)
Gain on sale of assets and investments	(5.1)	(6.6)
Share-based compensation	27.4	21.9
Noncurrent capital lease receivables	(109.9)	(98.4)
Net loss on Airgas transaction		48.5
Payment of acquisition-related costs		(153.8)
Other adjustments	48.1	50.5
Working capital changes that provided (used) cash, excluding effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Trade receivables	(13.9)	(75.1)
Inventories	(19.9)	(18.8)
Contracts in progress, less progress billings	(1.9)	42.6
Other receivables	14.2	11.3
Payables and accrued liabilities	5.9	(227.6)
Other working capital	(96.7)	8.5
Cash Provided by Operating Activities	731.2	606.7
Investing Activities
Additions to plant and equipment	(734.9)	(592.0)
Acquisitions, less cash acquired	(26.4)
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	(21.2)	(24.2)
Proceeds from sale of Airgas stock		94.7
Proceeds from sale of assets and investments	12.5	51.3
Change in restricted cash	6.4	10.4
Cash Used for Investing Activities	(763.6)	(459.8)
Financing Activities
Long-term debt proceeds	400.1	43.0
Payments on long-term debt	(8.6)	(172.0)
Net (decrease) increase in commercial paper and short-term borrowings	(190.2)	340.9
Dividends paid to shareholders	(244.1)	(210.1)
Purchase of treasury shares	(53.1)	(350.0)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	75.9	72.6
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	18.5	18.6
Payment for subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	(58.4)
Other financing activities	(13.2)	0.8
Cash Used for Financing Activities	(73.1)	(256.2)
Discontinued Operations
Cash provided by operating activities	20.0	20.0
Cash used for investing activities	(7.7)	(20.7)
Cash provided by financing activities		0.3
Cash Provided by (Used for) Discontinued Operations	12.3	(0.4)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	3.7	5.7
Decrease in Cash and Cash Items	(89.5)	(104.0)
Cash and Cash Items - Beginning of Year	422.5	374.3
Cash and Cash Items - End of Period	333.0	270.3
Less: Cash and Cash Items- Discontinued Operations	13.5	0.3
Cash and Cash Items- Continuing Operations	$ 319.5	$ 270.0