VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES, Primary Beneficiary - Carrying Value of Assets, Liabilities and Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Assets:
Assets segregated pursuant to regulations and other segregated assets	$ 3,614,811	$ 2,905,324
Other receivables	602,873	514,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets	660,366	705,391
Total assets	27,753,211	26,479,684
Liabilities and Equity:
Trade and other payables	563,891	729,245
Total liabilities	22,875,972	21,693,586
RJF equity	4,635,290	4,522,031
Noncontrolling interests	241,949	264,067
Total equity	4,877,239	4,786,098	$ 4,651,910
Total liabilities and equity	27,753,211	26,479,684
Total VIEs - primary beneficiary
Assets:
Assets segregated pursuant to regulations and other segregated assets	8,019	8,525
Other receivables	5,494	5,542
Investments in real estate partnerships held by consolidated variable interest entities	191,801	199,678
Trust fund investment in RJF common stock	11,185	6,404
Prepaid expenses and other assets	3,944	4,297
Total assets	220,443	224,446
Liabilities and Equity:
Trade and other payables	23,443	12,424
Intercompany payables	11,154	6,400
Loans payable of consolidated variable interest entities	19,365	25,960
Total liabilities	53,962	44,784
RJF equity	6,112	6,121
Noncontrolling interests	160,369	173,541
Total equity	166,481	179,662
Total liabilities and equity	$ 220,443	$ 224,446