Components of Goodwill by Business Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross goodwill at beginning of period	$ 699,685
Less: aggregate impairment charges recorded	(614,958)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at beginning of period	84,727
Acquisitions and adjustments during the period	3,713
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at end of period	88,440
Brooks Product Solutions
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross goodwill at beginning of period	485,844
Less: aggregate impairment charges recorded	(437,706)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at beginning of period	48,138
Acquisitions and adjustments during the period
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at end of period	48,138
Brooks Global Services
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross goodwill at beginning of period	151,238
Less: aggregate impairment charges recorded	(151,238)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at beginning of period
Acquisitions and adjustments during the period
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at end of period
Brooks Life Science Systems
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross goodwill at beginning of period	36,589
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at beginning of period	36,589
Acquisitions and adjustments during the period	3,713
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at end of period	40,302
Contract Manufacturing
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross goodwill at beginning of period	18,593
Less: aggregate impairment charges recorded	(18,593)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at beginning of period
Acquisitions and adjustments during the period
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at end of period
Other
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross goodwill at beginning of period	7,421
Less: aggregate impairment charges recorded	(7,421)
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at beginning of period
Acquisitions and adjustments during the period
Goodwill, less accumulated impairments at end of period