Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 06, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NEW JERSEY RESOURCES CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000356309
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		86,313,212
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1