CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock	Total Brooks Automation, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2009	$ 317,870	$ 779	$ 1,795,619		$ 14,963	$ (1,293,029)	$ (200,956)	$ 317,376	$ 494
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2009		77,883,173
Shares issued under stock option, restricted stock and purchase plans, net (in shares)		986,158
Shares issued under stock option, restricted stock and purchase plans, net	945	10	935					945
Stock-based compensation	6,567		6,567					6,567
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income	59,884			59,841		59,841		59,841	43
Currency translation adjustments	3,940			3,940	3,940			3,940
Changes in unrealized loss on marketable securities	(36)			(36)	(36)			(36)
Actuarial gain (loss) arising in the year	(1,001)			(1,001)	(1,001)			(1,001)
Comprehensive income				62,744
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2010	388,169	789	1,803,121		17,866	(1,233,188)	(200,956)	387,632	537
Ending 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	130,437			130,385		130,385		130,385	52
Currency translation adjustments	947			947	947			947
Changes in unrealized loss on marketable securities	(445)			(445)	(445)			(445)
Actuarial gain (loss) arising in the year	(1,044)			(1,044)	(1,044)			(1,044)
Comprehensive income				129,843
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	136,835			136,789		136,789		136,789	46
Currency translation adjustments	(2,406)			(2,406)	(2,406)			(2,406)
Changes in unrealized gain on marketable securities	393			393	393			393
Actuarial gain (loss) arising in the year	(606)			(606)	(606)			(606)
Recognition of pension settlement in earnings	8,937			8,937	8,937			8,937
Comprehensive income				143,107
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