Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Business and summary of significant accounting policies - New Accounting Policies (Details)

v3.5.0.2
Business and summary of significant accounting policies - New Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Sep. 30, 2015
Jun. 30, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2016
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2014
Item Effected [Line Items]                      
Deferred income tax assets, net $ 8,644       $ 11,058       $ 8,644 $ 11,058  
Deferred income tax liabilities, net 16,813       6,546       16,813 6,546  
Net income attributable to MAXIMUS $ 50,743 $ 52,225 $ 48,785 $ 26,609 $ 35,437 $ 41,666 $ 38,808 $ 41,861 178,362 157,772 $ 145,440
Stock compensation tax benefit                 5,172 9,474 9,665
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities                 180,026 206,217 213,600
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities                 $ 96,842 $ (111,115) $ 127,144
Diluted earnings per share attributable to MAXIMUS (in dollars per share) $ 0.77 $ 0.79 $ 0.74 $ 0.40 $ 0.53 $ 0.62 $ 0.58 $ 0.63 $ 2.69 $ 2.35 $ 2.11
Previously reported                      
Item Effected [Line Items]                      
Deferred tax asset, current         $ 19,000         $ 19,000  
Deferred tax assets, noncurrent         700         700  
Deferred tax liabilities, noncurrent         $ 15,200         $ 15,200  
Pro Forma                      
Item Effected [Line Items]                      
Diluted earnings per share attributable to MAXIMUS (in dollars per share)                 $ 2.76    
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 | Pro Forma                      
Item Effected [Line Items]                      
Net income attributable to MAXIMUS                 $ 5,172    
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities                 5,200    
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities                 $ 5,200    
Diluted earnings per share attributable to MAXIMUS (in dollars per share)                 $ 0.07