FINANCING RECEIVABLES (Allowance for Credit Losses) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 10,935		$ 2,024		$ 4,795
Provision for credit losses	17,246		10,661		5,209
Charge-offs	(124)		(2,099)		(8,067)
Recoveries	38		349		87
Deconsolidation of LEAF	(482)
Balance, end of year	27,613		10,935		2,024
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	27,613		10,505
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0		430
Balance, end of year	27,613		10,935		2,024
Gross financing receivables related to the balance in the allowance for credit losses [Abstract]
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	68,676		65,320
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0		192,442
Balance, end of year	68,676		257,762
Receivables from Managed Entities [Member]
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	10,490		1,075		0
Provision for credit losses	17,090		9,415		1,852
Charge-offs	0		0		(777)
Recoveries	0		0		0
Deconsolidation of LEAF	0
Balance, end of year	27,580		10,490		1,075
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	27,580		10,490
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0		0
Balance, end of year	27,580		10,490		1,075
Gross financing receivables related to the balance in the allowance for credit losses [Abstract]
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	68,631		65,305
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0		0
Balance, end of year	68,631	[1]	65,305	[2]
Investment in Loans [Member]
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year					0
Provision for credit losses					1
Charge-offs					(1)
Recoveries					0
Balance, end of year					0
Balance, end of year					0
Leases and Loans [Member]
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	430		770		570
Provision for credit losses	138		1,137		2,860
Charge-offs	(124)		(1,764)		(2,721)
Recoveries	38		287		61
Deconsolidation of LEAF	(482)
Balance, end of year	0		430		770
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0		430
Balance, end of year	0		430		770
Gross financing receivables related to the balance in the allowance for credit losses [Abstract]
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment			0
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment			192,442
Balance, end of year			192,442
Future Payment Card Receivables [Member]
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	0		130		2,640
Provision for credit losses	0		94		447
Charge-offs	0		(286)		(2,983)
Recoveries	0		62		26
Deconsolidation of LEAF	0
Balance, end of year	0		0		130
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0		0
Balance, end of year	0		0		130
Rent Receivables [Member]
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	15		0
Provision for credit losses	18		15
Charge-offs	0		0
Recoveries	0		0
Deconsolidation of LEAF	0
Balance, end of year	33		15
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	33		15
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0		0
Balance, end of year	33		15
Gross financing receivables related to the balance in the allowance for credit losses [Abstract]
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	45		15
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0		0
Balance, end of year	45		15
Investment in Real Estate Loan [Member]
Activity in the allowance for credit losses of financing receivables [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	0		49		1,585
Provision for credit losses	0		0		49
Charge-offs	0		(49)		(1,585)
Recoveries	0		0		0
Deconsolidation of LEAF	0
Balance, end of year	0		0		49
Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment	0		0
Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment	0		0
Balance, end of year	$ 0		$ 0		$ 49

[1] Receivables are presented gross of an allowance for credit losses of $25.1 million and $2.5 million related to the Company’s commercial finance and real estate investment entities, respectively. The remaining receivables from managed entities and related parties have no related allowance for credit losses.

[2] Receivables are presented gross of an allowance for credit losses of $8.3 million and $2.2 million related to the Company’s commercial finance and real estate investment entities, respectively. The remaining receivables from managed entities and related parties have no related allowance for credit losses.