Segment Information Financial Information for Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues
Product	$ 100,282	$ 77,323
Services	24,305	20,702
Total revenues	124,587	98,025
Gross profit	44,650	29,158
Segment operating income (loss)	3,942	(13,064)
Total assets	729,669		736,763
Brooks Product Solutions
Revenues
Product	88,708	62,722
Services	0	0
Total revenues	88,708	62,722
Gross profit	32,053	17,754
Segment operating income (loss)	6,605	(6,434)
Total assets	243,507		254,424
Brooks Global Services
Revenues
Product	3,439	3,505
Services	20,243	17,660
Total revenues	23,682	21,165
Gross profit	8,032	5,110
Segment operating income (loss)	3,050	591
Total assets	59,196		59,875
Brooks Life Science Systems
Revenues
Product	8,135	11,096
Services	4,062	3,042
Total revenues	12,197	14,138
Gross profit	4,565	6,294
Segment operating income (loss)	(3,475)	(22)
Total assets	105,713		105,221
Operating Segments
Revenues
Product	100,282	77,323
Services	24,305	20,702
Total revenues	124,587	98,025
Gross profit	44,650	29,158
Segment operating income (loss)	6,180	(5,865)
Total assets	$ 408,416		$ 419,520