Segment Information Financial Information for Business Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues
Product	$ 93,223	$ 88,560	$ 288,887	$ 248,240
Services	24,136	22,211	71,444	63,519
Total revenues	117,359	110,771	360,331	311,759
Gross profit	40,746	36,075	125,935	95,439
Segment operating income (loss)	(5,910)	2,133	(2,056)	(15,505)
Total assets	796,005		796,005		736,763
Brooks Product Solutions
Revenues
Product	75,367	79,576	246,820	214,566
Services	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	75,367	79,576	246,820	214,566
Gross profit	25,834	24,621	86,295	63,914
Segment operating income (loss)	451	2,984	10,906	(3,463)
Total assets	264,340		264,340		226,759
Brooks Global Services
Revenues
Product	3,392	3,028	11,044	10,264
Services	20,246	19,398	59,304	54,907
Total revenues	23,638	22,426	70,348	65,171
Gross profit	8,399	7,750	23,900	19,116
Segment operating income (loss)	3,784	3,815	8,875	6,102
Total assets	61,023		61,023		59,762
Brooks Life Science Systems
Revenues
Product	14,464	5,956	31,023	23,410
Services	3,890	2,813	12,140	8,612
Total revenues	18,354	8,769	43,163	32,022
Gross profit	6,513	3,704	15,740	12,409
Segment operating income (loss)	(1,110)	(2,521)	(8,150)	(6,418)
Total assets	107,136		107,136		105,221
Operating Segments
Revenues
Product	93,223	88,560	288,887	248,240
Services	24,136	22,211	71,444	63,519
Total revenues	117,359	110,771	360,331	311,759
Gross profit	40,746	36,075	125,935	95,439
Segment operating income (loss)	3,125	4,278	11,631	(3,779)
Total assets	$ 432,499		$ 432,499		$ 391,742