Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	May 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 709,666	$ 793,610	$ 672,754	$ 848,148	$ 836,358	$ 937,171	$ 821,861	$ 1,040,534	$ 3,024,178	$ 3,635,924	$ 4,193,190
Operating income	41,990	116,324	10,296	170,361	38,550	134,797	30,118	230,927	338,971	434,392	676,368
Income from continuing operations	30,796	67,039	14,149	99,432	23,726	82,029	13,932	133,823	211,416	253,510	383,507
Net income	28,570	65,010	12,177	99,041	21,396	80,170	13,659	133,740	204,798	248,965	417,006
Net income attributable to Apollo	29,783	66,025	14,605	98,891	21,551	79,953	13,527	133,495	209,304	248,526	422,678
Earnings (loss) per share - Basic:
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.62	$ 0.15	$ 0.88	$ 0.21	$ 0.73	$ 0.12	$ 1.19	$ 1.94	$ 2.25	$ 3.24
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.06)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.24
Basic income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.60	$ 0.13	$ 0.87	$ 0.19	$ 0.71	$ 0.12	$ 1.19	$ 1.88	$ 2.20	$ 3.48
Earnings (loss) per share - Diluted:
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.61	$ 0.15	$ 0.87	$ 0.21	$ 0.72	$ 0.12	$ 1.18	$ 1.92	$ 2.23	$ 3.22
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.06)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.23
Diluted income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.59	$ 0.13	$ 0.87	$ 0.19	$ 0.71	$ 0.12	$ 1.18	$ 1.86	$ 2.19	$ 3.45
Costs and expenses:
Restructuring and other charges	23,200	14,900	15,200	32,000	67,300	61,500	44,100	24,100	85,343	197,022	38,695
Contingent consideration charges and acquisition costs	(9,300)	16,100	13,000						19,837	0	0
Litigation charge (credit)	$ 800	$ 4,100	$ 9,000		$ (1,400)		$ (6,300)	$ (16,900)	$ 13,900	$ (24,600)	$ 4,725
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	109,364	110,613	112,151	113,326	113,105	112,742	112,573	112,420	111,354	112,712	121,607
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	110,839	112,082	113,380	113,960	113,740	113,372	113,068	112,849	112,610	113,285	122,357