Net Loss per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 01, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 01, 2012
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Numerator:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (8,400,000)	$ (18,227,000)	$ (9,017,000)	$ (24,766,000)
Income from discontinued operations	(1,191,000)	(848,000)	(2,738,000)	(2,559,000)
Net loss	$ (9,591,000)	$ (11,327,000)	$ (11,755,000)	$ (19,577,000)
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	153,688,000	119,037,000	147,541,000	116,376,000
Basic and diluted loss per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.05)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.21)
Net earnings from discontinued operations	$ (0.01)	$ 0.05	$ (0.02)	$ 0.04
Net loss attributable to ISC8 per common share	$ (0.06)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.17)