VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES, Primary Beneficiary - Net Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Interest	$ 134,413	$ 118,393	$ 266,522	$ 235,486
Other	23,715	9,240	41,103	33,805
Total revenues	1,312,624	1,204,625	2,592,468	2,413,399
Interest expense	(26,846)	(25,980)	(54,230)	(51,352)
Net revenues	1,285,778	1,178,645	2,538,238	2,362,047
Non-interest expenses	1,110,145	1,025,646	2,163,956	2,030,236
Net income including noncontrolling interests	108,776	92,095	230,813	208,616
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,687)	(12,465)	(8,946)	(12,577)
Net income attributable to Raymond James Financial, Inc.	113,463	104,560	239,759	221,193
Total VIEs - primary beneficiary
Revenues:
Interest	2	0	2	1
Other	(382)	(1,580)	292	(1,416)
Total revenues	(380)	(1,580)	294	(1,415)
Interest expense	(537)	(797)	(1,066)	(1,584)
Net revenues	(917)	(2,377)	(772)	(2,999)
Non-interest expenses	11,085	12,052	19,099	21,017
Net income including noncontrolling interests	(12,002)	(14,429)	(19,871)	(24,016)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(11,975)	(14,420)	(19,858)	(23,996)
Net income attributable to Raymond James Financial, Inc.	$ (27)	$ (9)	$ (13)	$ (20)