Divestiture Charges, Net

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents charges incurred to close or restructure a facility in connection with an exit or disposal activity. Such costs include clean-up costs and lease obligations. Costs are recorded as the activities are incurred except for lease obligation charges, which are recorded upon termination of the lease obligation or at the cease use date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Charges in the period for purchase orders and other contractual obligations related to exit or disposal activities that the Company is required to pay.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_PurchaseOrdersAndOtherContractualObligations
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents severance and related benefit charges for the termination of employees under an exit or disposal activity. Charges are recorded either as one-time termination benefits, which are recognized ratable over the required service period to receive such benefit, or under an ongoing benefit plan arrangement once the charge is probable and reasonably estimable.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_ReductionOfWorkforceExpenses
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Restructuring charges and associated cost.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Restructuring charges included in cost of sales.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_RestructuringChargesIncludedInCostOfSales
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total restructuring charges under exit or disposal plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	holx_RestructuringChargesUnderExitOrDisposalPlan
Namespace Prefix:	holx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of other expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

+ Details

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- Details

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Restructuring and Divestiture Charges - Charges Taken Related to Restructuring Actions (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charge					$ 7,667	$ 16,901
Fiscal 2013 restructuring and divestiture charges	9,700	6,700	12,500	16,700	32,805	17,515	(71)
Fiscal 2012 Charges [Member] \| Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charge						16,901
Purchase orders and other contractual obligations						3,099
Workforce reductions						15,249
Facility closure costs						430
Other						900
Total fiscal charges						36,579
Recorded to cost of product sales						19,064
Recorded to restructuring						17,515
Fiscal 2013 Charges [Member] \| Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charge					54
Workforce reductions					31,214
Facility closure costs					550
Other					929
Total fiscal charges					32,693
Divestiture net charges					112
Fiscal 2013 restructuring and divestiture charges					32,805
Abandonment of Adiana Product Line [Member] \| Fiscal 2012 Charges [Member] \| Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charge						16,316
Purchase orders and other contractual obligations						3,099
Workforce reductions						128
Total fiscal charges						19,543
Recorded to cost of product sales						19,064
Recorded to restructuring						479
Consolidation of Diagnostics Operations [Member] \| Fiscal 2012 Charges [Member] \| Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charge						585
Workforce reductions						14,202
Total fiscal charges						14,787
Recorded to restructuring						14,787
Consolidation of Diagnostics Operations [Member] \| Fiscal 2013 Charges [Member] \| Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Workforce reductions					13,950
Total fiscal charges					13,950
Fiscal 2013 restructuring and divestiture charges					13,950
Closure of Indianapolis Facility [Member] \| Fiscal 2012 Charges [Member] \| Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Workforce reductions						879
Other						900
Total fiscal charges						1,779
Recorded to restructuring						1,779
Closure of Indianapolis Facility [Member] \| Fiscal 2013 Charges [Member] \| Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Workforce reductions					4,805
Facility closure costs					173
Other					651
Total fiscal charges					5,629
Fiscal 2013 restructuring and divestiture charges					5,629
Fiscal 2013 Actions [Member] \| Fiscal 2013 Charges [Member] \| Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Workforce reductions					11,332
Other					42
Total fiscal charges					11,374
Fiscal 2013 restructuring and divestiture charges					11,374
Other Operating Cost Reductions [Member] \| Fiscal 2012 Charges [Member] \| Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Workforce reductions						40
Facility closure costs						430
Total fiscal charges						470
Recorded to restructuring						470
Other Operating Cost Reductions [Member] \| Fiscal 2013 Charges [Member] \| Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charge					54
Workforce reductions					1,127
Facility closure costs					377
Other					236
Total fiscal charges					1,740
Fiscal 2013 restructuring and divestiture charges					$ 1,740