Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Apr. 30, 2018
Oppenheimer International Growth Fund/VA
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	The Fund Summary
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment Objective.
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The Fund seeks capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and Expenses of the Fund.
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold or redeem shares of the Fund. The accompanying prospectus of the participating insurance company provides information on initial or contingent deferred sales charges, exchange fees or redemption fees for that variable life insurance policy, variable annuity or other investment product. The fees and expenses of those products are not charged by the Fund and are not reflected in this table. Expenses would be higher if those fees were included.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	one year from the date of this prospectus
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio Turnover.
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 27% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	27.00%
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text]	rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent	Expenses have been restated to reflect current fees.
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Example.
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Sales charges and fees for the variable life insurance policy, variable annuity or other investment product offered by participating insurance companies are not charged by the Fund and are not reflected in the Example. Expenses would be higher if those fees were included. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in a class of shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Any applicable fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements are reflected in the below examples for the period during which such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements are in effect. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your expenses would be as follows, whether or not you redeemed your shares:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal Investment Strategies.
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers that are domiciled or that have their primary operations in at least three different countries outside of the United States and may invest 100% of its total assets in foreign companies. The Fund mainly invests in “growth companies,” which are companies whose earnings and stock prices are expected to increase at a faster rate than the overall market. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in emerging markets. It considers an issuer to be located in an emerging market if it is organized under the laws of an emerging country; its principal securities trading market is in an emerging market; or at least 50% of the issuer’s non-current assets, capitalization, gross revenue or profit is derived from assets or activities located in emerging markets (directly or indirectly). From time to time, the Fund may place greater emphasis on investing in one or more particular industries, countries, or regions, such as Asia, Europe or Latin America. The Fund’s portfolio managers look primarily for high growth potential using a “bottom up” investment approach on a company-by-company basis. That approach looks at the investment performance of individual stocks before considering the impact of general or industry specific economic trends. It includes fundamental analysis of a company’s financial statements and management structure and consideration of the company’s operations and product development, as well as its position in its industry. The portfolio managers currently focus on the following factors: companies that enjoy a strong competitive position and high demand for their products or services; companies with accelerating earnings growth and cash flow; and diversity among countries, companies and industries to seek to reduce the risks of foreign investing, such as currency fluctuations and market volatility. The consideration of those factors may vary in particular cases and may change over time. The portfolio managers also consider the effects of worldwide trends on the growth of particular business sectors and looks for companies that may benefit from those trends. The trends currently considered include: mass affluence, new technologies, restructuring and aging. The portfolio managers do not invest any fixed amount of the Fund’s assets according to these criteria, which may change over time. The portfolio managers monitor individual issuers for changes in these factors, which may trigger, but does not require, a decision to sell a security. The Fund does not limit its investments to issuers within a specific market capitalization range and at times may invest in both smaller, less-well-known companies and larger, more established companies that the portfolio managers believe have favorable prospects for capital growth relative to the market. The Fund currently invests a substantial portion of its assets in stocks of small- to mid-sized companies. The price of those stocks may be more volatile than the price of stocks issued by larger companies. The Fund primarily invests in common stock but may also buy preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stocks and other securities having equity features. The Fund typically does not invest in debt securities to a significant degree but can invest up to 20% of its total assets in debt securities when the portfolio managers believe that it is appropriate to do so in order to seek the Fund’s objective. The Fund can invest up to 15% of its total assets in debt securities that are below investment grade, commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” The Fund can also use derivative instruments, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps, to seek higher investment returns or to try to manage investment risks.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal Risks.
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	The price of the Fund’s shares can go up and down substantially. The value of the Fund’s investments may fall due to adverse changes in the markets in which the Fund invests or because of poor investment selection, which could cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth less than what you paid for them. These risks mean that you can lose money by investing in the Fund. Risks of Investing in Stocks. The value of the Fund’s portfolio may be affected by changes in the stock markets. Stock markets may experience significant short-term volatility and may fall sharply at times. Adverse events in any part of the equity or fixed-income markets may have unexpected negative effects on other market segments. Different stock markets may behave differently from each other and U.S. stock markets may move in the opposite direction from one or more foreign stock markets. The prices of individual stocks generally do not all move in the same direction at the same time. A variety of factors can negatively affect the price of a particular company’s stock. These factors may include, but are not limited to: poor earnings reports, a loss of customers, litigation against the company, general unfavorable performance of the company’s sector or industry, or changes in government regulations affecting the company or its industry. To the extent that securities of a particular type are emphasized (for example foreign stocks, stocks of small- or mid-cap companies, growth or value stocks, or stocks of companies in a particular industry), fund share values may fluctuate more in response to events affecting the market for those types of securities. Industry and Sector Focus. At times the Fund may increase the relative emphasis of its investments in a particular industry or sector. The prices of stocks of issuers in a particular industry or sector may go up and down in response to changes in economic conditions, government regulations, availability of basic resources or supplies, or other events that affect that industry or sector more than others. To the extent that the Fund increases the relative emphasis of its investments in a particular industry or sector, its share values may fluctuate in response to events affecting that industry or sector. To some extent that risk may be limited by the Fund’s policy of not concentrating its investments in any one industry. Risks of Foreign Investing. Foreign securities are subject to special risks. Securities traded in foreign markets may be less liquid and more volatile than those traded in U.S. markets. Foreign issuers are usually not subject to the same accounting and disclosure requirements that U.S. companies are subject to, which may make it difficult for the Fund to evaluate a foreign company’s operations or financial condition. A change in the value of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a change in the U.S. dollar value of investments denominated in that foreign currency and in the value of any income or distributions the Fund may receive on those investments. The value of foreign investments may be affected by exchange control regulations, foreign taxes, higher transaction and other costs, delays in the settlement of transactions, changes in economic or monetary policy in the United States or abroad, expropriation or nationalization of a company’s assets, or other political and economic factors. In addition, due to the inter-relationship of global economies and financial markets, changes in political and economic factors in one country or region could adversely affect conditions in another country or region. Investments in foreign securities may also expose the Fund to time-zone arbitrage risk. Foreign securities may trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not price its shares. As a result, the value of the Fund’s net assets may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem the Fund’s shares. At times, the Fund may emphasize investments in a particular country or region and may be subject to greater risks from adverse events that occur in that country or region. Foreign securities and foreign currencies held in foreign banks and securities depositories may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.           Risks of Developing and Emerging Markets. Investments in developing and emerging markets are subject to all the risks associated with foreign investing, however, these risks may be magnified in developing and emerging markets. Developing or emerging market countries may have less well-developed securities markets and exchanges that may be substantially less liquid than those of more developed markets. Settlement procedures in developing or emerging markets may differ from those of more established securities markets, and settlement delays may result in the inability to invest assets or to dispose of portfolio securities in a timely manner. Securities prices in developing or emerging markets may be significantly more volatile than is the case in more developed nations of the world, and governments of developing or emerging market countries may also be more unstable than the governments of more developed countries. Such countries’ economies may be more dependent on relatively few industries or investors that may be highly vulnerable to local and global changes. Developing or emerging market countries also may be subject to social, political or economic instability. The value of developing or emerging market countries’ currencies may fluctuate more than the currencies of countries with more mature markets. Investments in developing or emerging market countries may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions, including confiscatory taxation, expropriation or nationalization of a company’s assets, restrictions on foreign ownership of local companies, restrictions on withdrawing assets from the country, protectionist measures, and practices such as share blocking. In addition, the ability of foreign entities to participate in privatization programs of certain developing or emerging market countries may be limited by local law. Investments in securities of issuers in developing or emerging market countries may be considered speculative.           Eurozone Investment Risks. Certain of the regions in which the Fund may invest, including the European Union (EU), currently experience significant financial difficulties. Following the global economic crisis that began in 2008, some of these countries have depended on, and may continue to be dependent on, the assistance from others such as the European Central Bank (ECB) or other governments or institutions, and failure to implement reforms as a condition of assistance could have a significant adverse effect on the value of investments in those and other European countries. In addition, countries that have adopted the euro are subject to fiscal and monetary controls that could limit the ability to implement their own economic policies, and could voluntarily abandon, or be forced out of, the euro. Such events could impact the market values of Eurozone and various other securities and currencies, cause redenomination of certain securities into less valuable local currencies, and create more volatile and illiquid markets. Additionally, the United Kingdom’s intended departure from the EU, commonly known as “Brexit,” may have significant political and financial consequences for Eurozone markets, including greater market volatility and illiquidity, currency fluctuations, deterioration in economic activity, a decrease in business confidence and an increased likelihood of a recession in the United Kingdom. Risks of Growth Investing. If a growth company’s earnings or stock price fails to increase as anticipated, or if its business plans do not produce the expected results, its securities may decline sharply. Growth companies may be newer or smaller companies that may experience greater stock price fluctuations and risks of loss than larger, more established companies. Newer growth companies tend to retain a large part of their earnings for research, development or investments in capital assets. Therefore, they may not pay any dividends for some time. Growth investing has gone in and out of favor during past market cycles and is likely to continue to do so. During periods when growth investing is out of favor or when markets are unstable, it may be more difficult to sell growth company securities at an acceptable price. Growth stocks may also be more volatile than other securities because of investor speculation. Risks of Small- and Mid-Cap Companies. Small-cap companies may be either established or newer companies, including “unseasoned” companies that have typically been in operation for less than three years. Mid-cap companies are generally companies that have completed their initial start-up cycle, and in many cases have established markets and developed seasoned market teams. While smaller companies might offer greater opportunities for gain than larger companies, they also may involve greater risk of loss. They may be more sensitive to changes in a company’s earnings expectations and may experience more abrupt and erratic price movements. Small- and mid-cap companies’ securities may trade in lower volumes and it might be harder for the Fund to dispose of its holdings at an acceptable price when it wants to sell them. Small- and mid-cap companies may not have established markets for their products or services and may have fewer customers and product lines. They may have more limited access to financial resources and may not have the financial strength to sustain them through business downturns or adverse market conditions. Since small- and mid-cap companies typically reinvest a high proportion of their earnings in their business, they may not pay dividends for some time, particularly if they are newer companies. Small- and mid-cap companies may have unseasoned management or less depth in management skill than larger, more established companies. They may be more reliant on the efforts of particular members of their management team and management changes may pose a greater risk to the success of the business. It may take a substantial period of time before the Fund realizes a gain on an investment in a small- or mid-cap company, if it realizes any gain at all. Who Is the Fund Designed For? The Fund’s shares are available only as an investment option under certain variable annuity contracts, variable life insurance policies and other investment plans offered through insurance company separate accounts of participating insurance companies. The Fund is designed primarily for investors seeking capital appreciation primarily from foreign equity investments. Those investors should be willing to assume the risks of share price fluctuations that are typical for a fund focusing on growth stocks and the risks of investing in both developed and emerging foreign countries. Because of its focus on capital appreciation, the Fund may be appropriate for some portion of an investment plan for investors with a high risk tolerance. The Fund is not designed for investors needing income. The Fund is not a complete investment program and may not be appropriate for all investors. You should carefully consider your own investment goals and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	These risks mean that you can lose money by investing in the Fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	The Fund’s Past Performance.
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s Non-Service Shares performance from calendar year to calendar year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for the periods of time shown in the table compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. Charges imposed by the insurance accounts that invest in the Fund are not included and the returns would be lower if they were. The Fund’s past investment performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. More recent performance information is available by calling the toll-free number on the back of this prospectus and on the Fund’s website at: https://www.oppenheimerfunds.com/fund/InternationalGrowthFundVA
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s Non-Service Shares performance from calendar year to calendar year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for the periods of time shown in the table compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	https://www.oppenheimerfunds.com/fund/InternationalGrowthFundVA
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	The Fund’s past investment performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]	rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads	Charges imposed by the insurance accounts that invest in the Fund are not included and the returns would be lower if they were.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	During the period shown, the highest return before taxes for a calendar quarter was 22.02% (2nd Qtr 09) and the lowest return before taxes for a calendar quarter was -20.40% (4th Qtr 08).
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended December 31, 2017
Performance Table Narrative	rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock	The following table shows the average annual total returns before taxes for each class of the Fund’s shares.
Oppenheimer International Growth Fund/VA | Non-Service Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed on purchases (as % of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as % of the lower of original offering price or redemption proceeds)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management Fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.94%	[1]
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none	[1]
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.16%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.10%	[1]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.10%)	[1],[2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.00%	[1]
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 103
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	342
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	600
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,338
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	103
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	342
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	600
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,338
2008	rr_AnnualReturn2008	(42.64%)
2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	39.24%
2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	14.76%
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(7.16%)
2012	rr_AnnualReturn2012	22.22%
2013	rr_AnnualReturn2013	25.87%
2014	rr_AnnualReturn2014	(7.22%)
2015	rr_AnnualReturn2015	3.43%
2016	rr_AnnualReturn2016	(2.12%)
2017	rr_AnnualReturn2017	26.29%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	highest return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	22.02%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	lowest return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(20.40%)
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	26.29%	[3]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.35%	[3]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	4.50%	[3]
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 13, 1992	[3]
Oppenheimer International Growth Fund/VA | Service Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed on purchases (as % of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as % of the lower of original offering price or redemption proceeds)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management Fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.94%	[1]
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%	[1]
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.16%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.35%	[1]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.10%)	[1],[2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.25%	[1]
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	$ 128
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	420
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	735
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,626
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	128
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	420
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	735
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	$ 1,626
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	26.44%	[3]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	8.16%	[3]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	4.21%	[3]
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Mar. 19, 2001	[3]
Oppenheimer International Growth Fund/VA | Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country World Ex-U.S. Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, or taxes)
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	27.19%	[3]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.80%	[3]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	1.84%	[3]

[1] Expenses have been restated to reflect current fees.

[2] After discussions with the Fund’s Board, the Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse the Fund for certain expenses in order to limit “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement” (excluding any applicable dividend expense, taxes, interest and fees from borrowing, any subsidiary expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, brokerage commissions, unusual and infrequent expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to annual rates of 1.00% for Non-Service Shares and 1.25% for Service Shares, as calculated on the daily net assets of the Fund. This fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement may not be amended or withdrawn for one year from the date of this prospectus, unless approved by the Board.

[3] Prior to April 30, 2014, the Fund was a series of Panorama Series Fund. Performance reflects that of the predecessor series.