XML 12 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.3.1.900
Document and Entity Information - shares
 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Feb. 05, 2016
Document And Entity Information    
Entity Registrant Name ANAVEX LIFE SCIENCES CORP.  
Entity Central Index Key 0001314052  
Document Type 10-Q  
Trading Symbol AVXL  
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2015  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --09-30  
Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer No  
Entity a Voluntary Filer No  
Entity's Reporting Status Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Smaller Reporting Company  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   34,653,885
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016