XML 20 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
May 08, 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 Mar. 31, 2019  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --09-30  
Entity 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   49,115,137
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019