Restructuring and Other Charges Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 1,000	$ 358			$ 3,711
Restructuring reserve	5,789	2,661	$ 7,389	$ 5,789	2,661		$ 2,073	$ 3,297	$ 3,475
Facilities and other contract termination costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges					1,205
Restructuring reserve	0	663	96	0	663		433	904	71
Workforce-related termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				9,800	2,506
Restructuring reserve	5,789	1,998	7,293	5,789	1,998		1,640	$ 2,393	$ 3,404
Brooks Semiconductor Solutions Group | Workforce-related termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring cost incurred to date		$ 4,800			$ 4,800	$ 1,900
Actions Initiated in Current Period
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	600
Additional restructuring charges in future periods	100			100
Actions Initiated in Current Period | Workforce-related termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				8,500
Restructuring cost incurred to date	5,900			5,900
Actions Initiated in Current Period | Brooks Life Science Systems | Workforce-related termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				2,800
Actions Initiated in Prior Periods | Workforce-related termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			1,200
Restructuring cost incurred to date			5,200
Actions Initiated in Prior Periods | Brooks Life Science Systems
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	300
Actions Initiated in Prior Periods | Brooks Life Science Systems | Workforce-related termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	300
Expected restructuring charges	2,800			2,800
Restructuring cost incurred to date			$ 2,400
Actions Initiated in Prior Periods | Brooks Semiconductor Solutions Group | Workforce-related termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected restructuring charges	$ 4,800			4,800
Restructuring cost incurred to date							$ 3,600
Operating Segments | Actions Initiated in Current Period | Workforce-related termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				$ 5,800