Stock-based Compensation, Equity Grants, and Warrants - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total compensation expense	$ 72	$ 78	$ 418	$ 372
Total unrecognized expense	230	346	230	346
DLH Employees
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total unrecognized expense	105	196	105	196
Non-employee Directors
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total unrecognized expense	125	150	125	150
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | DLH Employees
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total compensation expense	72	78	241	263
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Non-employee Directors
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total compensation expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ 177	$ 109
Long Term Incentive Plan 2006 | Employee Stock Option
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Number of shares available for grant	0.9		0.9
Expiration term			10 years