Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Aug. 05, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NEW JERSEY RESOURCES CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000356309
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		41,380,558
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3