Cover - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Aug. 09, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity File Number	001-37606
Entity Registrant Name	ANAVEX LIFE SCIENCES CORP.
Entity Central Index Key	0001314052
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-0608404
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NV
Entity Address, Address Line One	630 5th Avenue
Entity Address, Address Line Two	20th Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Country	US
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10111
City Area Code	844
Local Phone Number	689-3939
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock Par Value $0.001
Trading Symbol	AVXL
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		77,942,815