NATURE OF THE BUSINESS (Details) shares in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 subsidiary customer shares
Common Units [Member]
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Ownership interest exchanged (in shares) | shares	1,840
Steckman Ridge [Member]
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%
PennEast [Member]
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	20.00%
NJNG [Member]
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Total retail customers | customer	519,100
NJR Retail Holdings Corporation [Member]
Nature of Business [Line Items]
Number of principal subsidiaries | subsidiary	2