VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES, Primary Beneficiary - Net Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Revenues:
Interest	$ 161,567	$ 134,413	$ 304,038	$ 266,522
Other	21,497	23,715	35,804	41,103
Total revenues	1,340,918	1,312,624	2,642,444	2,592,468
Interest expense	(29,424)	(26,846)	(56,433)	(54,230)
Net revenues	1,311,494	1,285,778	2,586,011	2,538,238
Non-interest expenses	1,121,290	1,110,145	2,233,632	2,163,956
Net income including noncontrolling interests	117,933	108,776	218,099	230,813
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,914)	(4,687)	(14,077)	(8,946)
Net income attributable to Raymond James Financial, Inc.	125,847	113,463	232,176	239,759
Total VIEs - primary beneficiary
Revenues:
Interest	2	2	2	2
Other	(201)	(382)	414	292
Total revenues	(199)	(380)	416	294
Interest expense	(315)	(537)	(625)	(1,066)
Net revenues	(514)	(917)	(209)	(772)
Non-interest expenses	9,398	11,085	18,419	19,099
Net income including noncontrolling interests	(9,912)	(12,002)	(18,628)	(19,871)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(9,905)	(11,975)	(18,619)	(19,858)
Net income attributable to Raymond James Financial, Inc.	$ (7)	$ (27)	$ (9)	$ (13)