XML 13 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.10.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Feb. 07, 2019
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, 2018  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --09-30  
Entity's Reporting Status Current Yes  
Entity Small Business true  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Ex Transition Period false  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   46,887,056
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019