INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Identifiable intangible assets acquired (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Trade secrets and developed technologies (Weighted average life of 7 years)			$ 3,775,889	$ 9,430,900
Patents (Weighted average life of 5 years)			34,257	34,257
Intellectual property (Weighted average life of 5 years)		584,080
Total identifiable intangible assets-Gross carrying value		584,080	3,810,146	9,465,157
Less: Accumulated amortization		(48,674)	(3,810,146)	(3,537,302)
Less: Impairment charges		(114,730)		(5,655,011)
Intangible assets, net	$ 351,328	$ 420,676		$ 272,844

Represents the accumulated impairment of long-lived assets as of balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	apdn_AccumulatedImpairmentOfLongLivedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	apdn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents Finite lived of Intellectual property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	apdn_FiniteLivedOfIntellectualProperty
Namespace Prefix:	apdn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the gross carrying amount before accumulated amortization as of the balance sheet date for trade secrets and developed technologies.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	apdn_FiniteLivedTradeSecretsAndDevelopedTechnologiesGross
Namespace Prefix:	apdn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	apdn_IntangibleAssetsDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	apdn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gross carrying amount before accumulated amortization as of the balance sheet date of the costs pertaining to the exclusive legal rights granted to the owner of the patent to exploit an invention or a process for a period of time specified by law. Such costs may have been expended to directly apply and receive patent rights, or to acquire such rights.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedPatentsGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant