Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	ACTUANT CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000006955
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		68,922,419
Entity Public Float			$ 1,907,000,000