XML 11 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.6.0.2
Document and Entity Information - shares
 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Feb. 07, 2017
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, 2016  
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 Accelerated Filer  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   41,073,353
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017