SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
Net sales		$ 396,366	$ 340,357	$ 354,492	$ 307,137	$ 340,776	$ 337,226	$ 368,609	$ 314,796	$ 1,398,352	$ 1,361,407	$ 1,404,084
Operating income (loss)		39,268	19,215	22,177	11,830	(44,055)	26,905	37,376	20,509	92,490	40,735	136,205
Net income (loss) attributable to Cubic		32,805	12,206	16,092	8,388	(37,186)	18,381	29,650	14,241	69,491	25,086	97,427
Net income (loss) per share, basic (in dollars per share)		$ 1.22	$ 0.46	$ 0.60	$ 0.31	$ (1.39)	$ 0.69	$ 1.11	$ 0.53	$ 2.59	$ 0.94	$ 3.64
Net income (loss) per share, diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 1.22	$ 0.45	$ 0.60	$ 0.31	$ (1.39)	$ 0.69	$ 1.11	$ 0.53	$ 2.59	$ 0.94	$ 3.64
Goodwill impairment charge related to MSS reporting unit	$ 0					$ 50,900					$ 50,865