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Significant Accounting Policies and Practices - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Segment
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2010
Sep. 30, 2009
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Number of business segments 2      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,470,711 $ 1,137,359 $ 256,831 $ 97,800
Deferred income taxes on bargain purchase gain 158,341      
Recognized income tax positions 50.00%      
Reserves for funding agreements, total 364,140 169,580    
Fair value of collateral investments 390,563 191,331    
Accumulated (losses) gains related to foreign currency translation adjustments (129) 4,448    
Exchange of losses on foreign currency transactions 1,654 3,370 13,336  
Shipping and handling costs 198,152 201,480 161,148  
Advertising costs 20,706 30,673 37,520  
Research and development costs 33,087 32,901 31,013  
Increased bargain purchase gain and net income   7,264    
Consumer Products and Other [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Cash and cash equivalents 408,889 321,352 256,831  
Consumer Products and Other [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Cash and cash equivalents 19,994 29,009    
Insurance and Financial Services [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Cash and cash equivalents 1,061,822 816,007    
Insurance and Financial Services [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Cash and cash equivalents 2,250 2,768    
FGL [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction $ 41,000 $ 41,000    
Spectrum Brands [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Percentage of non-controlling interest 42.60%      
Zap Com Corporation [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Percentage of non-controlling interest 2.10%      
Minimum [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Customer lists, proprietary technology and certain trade name intangibles, estimated useful lives 1 year      
Minimum [Member] | Customer Lists, Proprietary Technology and Trade Name [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Customer lists, proprietary technology and certain trade name intangibles, estimated useful lives 1 year      
Minimum [Member] | Building and Improvements [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated useful lives of plant and equipment 20 years      
Minimum [Member] | Machinery, Equipment and Other [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated useful lives of plant and equipment 2 years      
Minimum [Member] | Displays and Fixtures [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated useful lives of plant and equipment 1 year      
Maximum [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Customer lists, proprietary technology and certain trade name intangibles, estimated useful lives 3 years      
Maximum [Member] | Customer Lists, Proprietary Technology and Trade Name [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Customer lists, proprietary technology and certain trade name intangibles, estimated useful lives 20 years      
Maximum [Member] | Building and Improvements [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated useful lives of plant and equipment 40 years      
Maximum [Member] | Machinery, Equipment and Other [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated useful lives of plant and equipment 15 years      
Maximum [Member] | Displays and Fixtures [Member]
        
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated useful lives of plant and equipment 2 years