Stock-based Compensation, Equity Grants, and Warrants - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock option expense	$ 199	$ 241	$ 591	$ 1,169
Total unrecognized expense	831		$ 831
Weighted average share based compensation expense recognition period			3 years 7 months 6 days
DLH employees | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock option expense	67	68	$ 196	199
Total unrecognized expense	$ 699		699
Non-employee directors | Restricted Stock Units
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Number of restricted stock units granted (in shares)	90,000
Non-employee directors | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock option expense	$ 132	$ 173	395	$ 970
Total unrecognized expense	$ 132		$ 132