Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	May. 02, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NEW JERSEY RESOURCES CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000356309
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		86,052,309
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2