Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Organization and Basis of Presentation - Results had former accounting policies been utilized (Details)

v3.10.0.1
Organization and Basis of Presentation - Results had former accounting policies been utilized (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Oct. 01, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]        
Accounts receivable — unbilled $ 124,385   $ 66,950 $ 31,536
Deferred income taxes 209   209 6,834
Deferred revenue 37,231   39,415 51,182
Deferred income taxes 49,617   33,451 26,377
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (42,673)     (36,953)
Retained earnings 664,332   666,210 633,281
Noncontrolling interests 2,782   3,105 2,552
Revenue 664,619 $ 623,148    
Net income attributable to MAXIMUS 55,913 $ 59,091    
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09        
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]        
Accounts receivable — unbilled (34,233)   35,414  
Deferred income taxes 6,743   (6,625)  
Deferred revenue 12,521   (11,767)  
Deferred income taxes (6,764)   7,074  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 825      
Retained earnings (33,349)   32,929 $ 32,900
Noncontrolling interests (723)   $ 553  
Revenue 700      
Net income attributable to MAXIMUS 400      
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606        
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]        
Accounts receivable — unbilled 90,152      
Deferred income taxes 6,952      
Deferred revenue 49,752      
Deferred income taxes 42,853      
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (41,848)      
Retained earnings 630,983      
Noncontrolling interests $ 2,059