Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Components of Goodwill by Business Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill, period start	$ 703,398	$ 699,685
Acquisitions and adjustments during fiscal year	33,590	3,713
Gross goodwill, period end	736,988	703,398
Accumulated goodwill impairments, beginning balance	(614,958)	(614,958)
Impairments recorded during fiscal year	0	0
Accumulated goodwill impairments, ending balance	(614,958)	(614,958)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments	122,030	88,440
Brooks Product Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill, period start	485,844	485,844
Acquisitions and adjustments during fiscal year	20,899	0
Gross goodwill, period end	506,743	485,844
Accumulated goodwill impairments, beginning balance	(437,706)	(437,706)
Impairments recorded during fiscal year	0	0
Accumulated goodwill impairments, ending balance	(437,706)	(437,706)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments	69,037	48,138
Brooks Global Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill, period start	151,238	151,238
Acquisitions and adjustments during fiscal year	5,554	0
Gross goodwill, period end	156,792	151,238
Accumulated goodwill impairments, beginning balance	(151,238)	(151,238)
Impairments recorded during fiscal year	0	0
Accumulated goodwill impairments, ending balance	(151,238)	(151,238)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments	5,554	0
Brooks Life Science Systems
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill, period start	40,302	36,589
Acquisitions and adjustments during fiscal year	7,137	3,713
Gross goodwill, period end	47,439	40,302
Accumulated goodwill impairments, beginning balance	0	0
Impairments recorded during fiscal year	0	0
Accumulated goodwill impairments, ending balance	0	0
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments	47,439	40,302
Contract Manufacturing
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill, period start	18,593	18,593
Acquisitions and adjustments during fiscal year	0	0
Gross goodwill, period end	18,593	18,593
Accumulated goodwill impairments, beginning balance	(18,593)	(18,593)
Impairments recorded during fiscal year	0	0
Accumulated goodwill impairments, ending balance	(18,593)	(18,593)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments	0	0
Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross goodwill, period start	7,421	7,421
Acquisitions and adjustments during fiscal year	0	0
Gross goodwill, period end	7,421	7,421
Accumulated goodwill impairments, beginning balance	(7,421)	(7,421)
Impairments recorded during fiscal year	0	0
Accumulated goodwill impairments, ending balance	(7,421)	(7,421)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments	$ 0	$ 0

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

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- Definition

Loss recognized during the period that results from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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