Segment Information Financial Information for Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues
Product	$ 95,547	$ 119,172	$ 268,363	$ 333,891
Services	22,525	21,265	64,353	66,111
Total revenues	118,072	140,437	332,716	400,002
Gross profit	39,686	46,240	105,456	134,879
Segment operating income (loss)	4,390	8,325	(9,646)	18,203
Total assets	720,430		720,430		741,960
Brooks Product Solutions
Revenues
Product	86,563	107,725	234,689	296,475
Services	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	86,563	107,725	234,689	296,475
Gross profit	28,061	36,195	73,500	100,481
Segment operating income (loss)	5,070	10,733	2,159	19,415
Total assets	254,039		254,039		218,799
Brooks Global Services
Revenues
Product	3,028	2,981	10,264	8,373
Services	19,712	18,543	55,741	56,480
Total revenues	22,740	21,524	66,005	64,853
Gross profit	7,921	5,868	19,547	19,595
Segment operating income (loss)	3,986	1,984	6,533	7,128
Total assets	61,215		61,215		56,120
Brooks Life Science Systems
Revenues
Product	5,956	8,466	23,410	29,043
Services	2,813	2,722	8,612	9,631
Total revenues	8,769	11,188	32,022	38,674
Gross profit	3,704	4,177	12,409	14,803
Segment operating income (loss)	(2,521)	(2,061)	(6,418)	(2,799)
Total assets	102,367		102,367		107,530
Operating Segments
Revenues
Product	95,547	119,172	268,363	333,891
Services	22,525	21,265	64,353	66,111
Total revenues	118,072	140,437	332,716	400,002
Gross profit	39,686	46,240	105,456	134,879
Segment operating income (loss)	6,535	10,656	2,274	23,744
Total assets	$ 417,621		$ 417,621		$ 382,449