Restructuring and Other Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 employee	Sep. 30, 2013 employee	Sep. 30, 2012 Employee	Sep. 30, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 6,289,000	$ 6,293,000
Restructuring and other charges	6,289,000	6,380,000	3,153,000
Restructuring reserve to be paid	3,475,000	1,412,000	2,098,000
Nexus Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Partial settlement of defined pension plan		100,000
Workforce-related
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	5,706,000	5,475,000	3,153,000
Number of employees impacted by workforce reductions	70	200	0
Restructuring reserve to be paid	3,404,000	1,257,000	2,098,000	293,000
Workforce-related | Polycold Manufacturing Operation
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,200,000
Workforce-related | Brooks Product Solutions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	2,400,000	2,500,000	1,200,000
Workforce-related | Brooks Global Services
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	400,000	1,100,000	1,000,000
Workforce-related | Brooks Life Science Systems
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,600,000	400,000	300,000
Number of employees impacted by workforce reductions			0
Workforce-related | Corporate Support functions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,300,000	1,500,000	700,000
Facilities and other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	583,000	818,000
Inventory Write-down	300,000
Restructuring reserve to be paid	$ 71,000	$ 155,000	$ 0