CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock	Total Brooks Automation, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2010	$ 388,169	$ 789	$ 1,803,121	$ 17,866	$ (1,233,188)	$ (200,956)	$ 387,632	$ 537
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2010		78,869,331
Shares issued under stock option, restricted stock and purchase plans, net (in shares)		867,858
Shares issued under stock option, restricted stock and purchase plans, net	(578)	8	(586)				(578)
Stock-based compensation	6,752		6,752				6,752
Common stock dividend declared	(5,302)				(5,302)		(5,302)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	130,437				130,385		130,385	52
Currency translation adjustments	947			947			947
Changes in unrealized loss on marketable securities	(445)			(445)			(445)
Actuarial gain (loss) arising in the year	(1,044)			(1,044)			(1,044)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	518,936	797	1,809,287	17,324	(1,108,105)	(200,956)	518,347	589
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2011		79,737,189
Shares issued under stock option, restricted stock and purchase plans, net (in shares)		53,368
Shares issued under stock option, restricted stock and purchase plans, net	(227)	1	(228)				(227)
Stock-based compensation	8,647		8,647				8,647
Common stock dividend declared	(21,208)				(21,208)		(21,208)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	136,835				136,789		136,789	46
Currency translation adjustments	(2,406)			(2,406)			(2,406)
Changes in unrealized gain on marketable securities	393			393			393
Actuarial gain (loss) arising in the year	(606)			(606)			(606)
Recognition of pension settlement in earnings	8,937			8,937			8,937
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	649,301	798	1,817,706	23,642	(992,524)	(200,956)	648,666	635
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012		79,790,557
Shares issued under stock option, restricted stock and purchase plans, net (in shares)		248,547
Shares issued under stock option, restricted stock and purchase plans, net	188	2	186				188
Stock-based compensation	7,607		7,607				7,607
Common stock dividend declared	(21,252)				(21,252)		(21,252)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	(2,150)				(2,215)		(2,215)	65
Currency translation adjustments	(2,113)			(2,113)			(2,113)
Changes in unrealized loss on marketable securities	(135)			(135)			(135)
Changes in unrealized gain on marketable securities	14			14			14
Actuarial gain (loss) arising in the year	1,109			1,109			1,109
Recognition of pension settlement in earnings	87			87			87
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 632,656	$ 800	$ 1,825,499	$ 22,604	$ (1,015,991)	$ (200,956)	$ 631,956	$ 700
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013		80,039,104